From last chapter: Bulma left home upset after finding out about Yamcha and Vegeta's confrontation. Before that, more intimacies were revealed between the lovers during a steamy sexual escapade.
Vegeta could still chase Bulma down at this point because of his superior flying skills, but he still needed her direction. Capsule Corporation copters left no exhaust cloud trails, were extremely fast, and had short-term cloaking ability, which was rarely used. Also, Bulma's ki was imperceptible like most humans who weren't skilled fighters or had other special powers. Still, Vegeta felt assured about finding her. Beyond that, he needed time to dress appropriately and consider what to say. Normally, if this were anyone else - even among those he halfway liked, who existed on a very short list - he would let the person lick their mental wounds and then mercilessly give them hell about it. Depending who it was, punches might come soon after - or much worse, though he usually saved that for major infractions.
His patience for too much whining was ten steps below zero. Threats of being tortured, murdered, assaulted, sadistically abused, and humiliated in front of one's peers ranked higher on a horrific inventory of legitimate grievances. Smoldering anger over not being Super Saiyan or Goku's equal didn't count as whining for him, despite others' judgment. Power still meant something. Fuck them.
With each passing day, Bulma proved in her own way that she understood enough of his motivations. Maybe she believed he really wouldn't hurt Goku. On that he could understand Yamcha's disbelief, but he didn't get why she would be so upset about much else - well, except for the prostitute part. He casually sauntered inside the of carriage house, where he slept sometimes, having second thoughts about finding Bulma. Better to let her cool off, he thought. An afternoon nap was more appealing.
Within four hours, the video display in the living room rang loud enough to wake the dead, flashing fire-engine red. Vegeta quickly pulled his shirt back on as Dr. Brief's grim image appeared onscreen. He frowned watching the old man forcefully smash a cigarette into an ashtray.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
"Bulma is in danger, Vegeta. You can arrive first before anyone else, I'm sure, but you must leave now. Use the microphone in the drawer next to you. I'll guide you." Dr. Brief showed an almost preternatural calmness given the situation's seriousness. He lived his life this way to be prepared for just about anything as a scientist - a characteristic everyone highly respected.
Vegeta threw on a jacket, pushing the earpiece in as soon as his feet left ground. "I'm fine. Just tell me the direction. Sensing her outright will be difficult."
"Due north, toward the Nokuya coastal mountain formation," Dr. Brief replied. "The copter… is already going down. I'm sending reinforcements."
Vegeta didn't have time to consider or ask who these reinforcements were. If Bulma were injured, he swore that he would keep her alive. Others could take a back seat.
"I know where you're speaking of. It won't take me long to arrive. Do you have a tool to explain what happened quickly? I can understand accelerated speech."
Dr. Brief played a recording about the copter's condition and what likely happened before it went down.
"The Nokuya mountain range spans four sections. Aircraft number 4385, 'The Ultimate Breeze,' went down in subrange Arma near the Unci canal, coordinates 58°55.4′N 135°5.65′W. Temperature is eight degrees Celsius, with light precipitation. Pilot is unconscious but not severely injured or losing blood, according to vital-sign monitor. Gearbox malfunction led to accident. Crash site doesn't indicate significant exterior damage due to aircraft's design. Residual vapor filled flight-control area and in the rear prior to copter's descent. Vapor can cause unconsciousness that could last several days or more if persons within close proximity are exposed for two hours or beyond. Exposed persons are in no immediate danger from hypoxia, brain damage or other bodily deterioration because of the vapor's chemical structure. Temperature exposure is a main threat if pilot leaves aircraft, lands in water, or has been ejected without proper protective clothing, followed by any other injuries that could be sustained from accident."
Vegeta's mouth clamped shut to avoid shouting every obscenity he knew. Bulma wasn't dressed appropriately before leaving for a location such as this, from what he saw. Was the route even on her original flight path, or did she decide to detour on a whim? Why would she head in this direction, perhaps knowing specifically about the weather problems? Why choose this less-advanced travel method anyway?
Why didn't he say anything before she left?
She is no stranger to hazards, he thought. I am overreacting - and she would say so, as I have done with her about myself.
"In these weather conditions, it would take at least two hours to die from hypothermia," Dr. Brief continued, "but my daughter has been flying since childhood. Her experience, as you know -"
"She's still inside the machine, yes?" Vegeta interrupted.
"Yes."
"It the cabin's temperature still temperate?"
"For now, because of how she crashed. It's not immersed in water. Thank goodness."
Thanking this so-called "goodness" or anything else was premature, Vegeta thought. He knew how to fly too. Death can be swift and unforgiving for the unprotected.
Bulma put the helicopter on short-term autopilot to check on other matters. The chopper - which was considered state of the art - was larger than others and could fly faster, but not many were made. She also hadn't overseen engineers' entire design-and-build process, though no product left Capsule Corporation without extensive testing.
She didn't worry much about being located because everyone who needed to know could track her coordinates, including her dad. But her smarts didn't always prevent her from being absent-minded like anyone else. Yamcha arrived at the tail-end of her aircraft inspection. She had been in myriad stressful situations - being close to death more times than most normal persons would prefer - but for some reason this particular altercation threw her off balance. Perhaps it was Vegeta being there. She really didn't expect or want him to step in again, given the nature of their relationship. He already fought a "battle" with someone she loved. That should have been the end of it. Wasn't he the one who said that she had to handle unfinished business in other relationships? He didn't press her about Launch, but he definitely saw what she refused to fully acknowledge at first. Of course, Launch did the same with her about him.
"Enough, Bulma. Just stop thinking about it. You have a project to handle." She only needed a few more minutes before returning to the cockpit. "You know better than to leave this baby on autopilot too long."
The copter jerked, causing her knees to spread apart. Another jolt threw her backward, followed by a high-pitched whining noise. She knew immediately that the gearbox was failing.
"What the hell is this? This isn't supposed to happen. Backup support engage now!"
She tried scrambling to the cockpit, but the copter bounced, leaning sideways, causing her head to hit something unknown. The backup mechanism for landing didn't follow her command. Misty fumes quickly filled the cabin, with oxygen masks dropping soon after. Dizziness set in as she coughed and wheezed violently. Her delirium kept telling her to find tools - as if they could help. Then she passed out, face down, as the chopper descended.
Vegeta hit the ground separating vegetation with his powers. Steam blew on each side. He sized up every position of the crash site before finding the right place to open without hurting Bulma. He used the part he ripped open to cover them both, checking for any injuries that weren't identified. Seeing her with a helmet and coveralls on put him more at ease, but her eyes didn't open.
"Open your eyes for me, woman. You did something extremely stupid."
"Mmm…sleepy."
"I don't care. Stay awake to yell at me, just for a little while. I…I…" Vegeta exhaled, shaking off mixed feelings that had no name. He touched his earpiece, paging Dr. Brief.
"Do you think she has a concussion, Vegeta?"
"Maybe. There's a bruise on her head. She'll need to sleep later, but I want to keep her somewhat awake now. I'm sharing some of my power with her, in case she's in pain."
"You can do that?"
"It's taking the reinforcements too long," Vegeta replied, overlooking the question. "I want to bring her back now. No major bones are broken from what I can tell. She doesn't wince and can move moderately."
"Major bones?"
Vegeta's teeth gritted. "Just let me do this, OK? You asked me to get here. I have enough life experience with being injured to know what to do in the short term."
Dr. Brief held his tongue on that declaration. Vegeta may have been correct about the last part, the older man thought, but that didn't exactly mean that the prince had gained much wisdom from it.
Bulma's eyes still didn't open, but hearing Vegeta's brusque voice was enough. "Who…are…you being mean to?"
Vegeta sighed, placing his earpiece next to her. Dr. Brief put down his cigarette to listen closely.
"Hello, sweetheart. It's dad. You got a little banged up, but we're going to get you back home safely. Are you in pain?"
Bulma's vision finally came into focus. "Just kind of out of it, dad. I'm OK. Really sleepy."
"We have to get you on the plane your father sent," Vegeta said." It's still airborne, so I am putting you to one of those carry-on boards."
Bulma smiled. "A stretcher?"
"Well excuse the hell out of me for not knowing every human colloquialism," Vegeta groused under his breath. "Just because we all share the same language universally doesn't mean there aren't differences -"
"Shut up, Vegeta, and strap me to the fucking board."
Dr. Brief lit another cigarette, laughing. "Now, now, young lady. Save the arguing for later. Sounds like you'll be just fine, though."
"What were you doing out there, Bulma? Your dad is being kind of tight-lipped about it."
"That's because we haven't discussed it, Krillin."
"Really?" Krillin moved his chair closer, watching Bulma adjust herself on a sofa. He gestured for her to cover herself more with the blanket he brought. "It's not like either of you not to talk stuff over."
Bulma patted his leg. "It's OK, buddy. There's only so much fretting one can do in a lifetime, given our extraordinary knack for attracting unwanted attention from freaks - or being in injurious situations."
"That's for sure," Krillin laughed. "No doubt right there. Speaking of freaks, where is Vegeta?"
"Don't call him that," Bulma scolded. "It's too harsh. He's accepted being called a jerk, but only by me."
"Harsh?" Krillin snorted. "Are you kidding me? It almost sounds like you have a crush on him."
"You have a soft spot for him too," Bulma teased. "Don't you?"
"Ewww. You're making me gag over here. I almost successfully killed him, remember? If Goku hadn't stopped me, we wouldn't even be discussing this."
"No, we wouldn't, but Goku has a way of convincing people to do just about anything."
They held hands, silently looking at a picture of the three of them - all smiles and all very young. Bulma wiped her eyes with a tissue.
"I miss Goku too, Krillin. I'm not betraying anyone by having Vegeta here. The longer he's stayed here -"
"So is that why you have been incognito? Look, I'm not judging you. What you and your parents have done is generous. I mean, you looked really bold on the day I saw you invite Vegeta to stay, but it was extremely brave. I feel sorry for the guy... in a way."
"Do you?"
"Yeah. He's all alone. His anger isn't just turned outward, but inward too. That must be beyond hellish - and maybe even scary when he's by himself, though he mostly stays away from people. I can see why. You, Goku, and I always had each other. We've had some interesting adventures together."
"We certainly have."
Krillin kissed the back of Bulma's hand, making her giggle. "I have to go now, my friend. Get some more rest. I heard that the gas in that helicopter - or whatever it was - could do a number on you."
"Don't always believe what you hear," Bulma shouted. She laughed at Krillin's choice to leave through a window instead of the door next to it. "Bye, baldy! You're showing off!"
"I am!" Krillin shouted, waving happily. He took off flying, blowing another kiss. "I can be a flirt too! You just never paid attention! I love you!"
"I love you too," she said softly. "Very much."
Bulma sniffled, feeling more emotional. She and Krillin covered so much ground as they talked, especially about Goku. Of the three friends, Krillin showed empathy in so many incredible ways. Meanwhile, Vegeta had largely retreated to the background while Panchy fussed over her. She figured that he would. Privacy was his modus operandi. Being around her too much would only bring more attention, and yet Vegeta believed Yamcha would keep their secret. What kind of ex-boyfriend wants others to find out something that humiliating?
Bulma did, in fact, have a minor concussion. Her helmet probably could have been more protective. She promised her dad to remember next time. She had taken an impulsive detour, intending to do some seismological exploration. Fearing for their jobs, every Capsule Corporation engineer who worked on the copter scrambled like mice to find the source of machine's horrific malfunction.
Bulma continued to cry, facing the sofa's interior. So much had happened over the past ten years - good and bad - and she kept going and going and going.
"Miss me?" a strangely hesitant voice said. Vegeta pushed the door open, peering inside as Bulma rushed to wipe her face.
"Maybe it's other way around, Vegeta." He wouldn't understand any of this behavior, she thought. Some situations were still too foreign to him. "We're still each other's meal ticket, remember? I'm OK."
Vegeta considered whether to ask another question. He didn't want to appear overly worried. She might become angry from being questioned. No! That is an unacceptable excuse. The prince of all Saiyans wouldn't allow a mere question to intimidate him! Absolutely not!
After this two-second war with himself, he stared at Bulma's slippers to choke the words out. "Then… why are you crying?"
"It's better than taking a construction wrecking ball to the house."
"OK, fine." Vegeta knew he couldn't go further without becoming angry. "I'm leaving."
"Wait." Bulma waved him over, exhaling. "Don't go. I'm…sorry. I guess I feel embarrassed about how all this went down, literally, with the copter. I know I said thank you earlier, but I do really mean it. Please don't doubt that. How are you?"
"We don't have to make small talk, Bulma, which you know I hate. I came here and it appears you're faring well. I'll return to what I was doing before."
Bulma pointed at the chair. "Come here, Vegeta."
"What?"
"So suddenly you're deaf now? C-o-m-e here."
"For what?" Vegeta appeared guarded as if Bulma would either try to smack him or trick him into performing an annoying task. "And where do you get off ordering me to do anything, especially with the attitude I'm getting now?"
"You have some nerve to say anything about attitude," she quipped. "I could open a dictionary and find your photo next to the word."
"That's it!" Vegeta huffed, turning on his heels to storm out of the room. "I'm done."
Bulma laughed. "It's too easy to get a rise out of you today. Are you feeling all right? I was hoping for a more creative insult. Look, just pour some water from that pitcher over there. I'm thirsty."
"Fine. Don't ask me for anything else." Didn't take much to stop him. Just who was in charge here? Wasn't he?
"I can't promise you that."
Vegeta bent down, handing over the glass. "Maybe you should be embarrassed about what happened - and then not give a damn about anyone judging you anymore. Haven't you learned anything from me?"
"If I have, I'm not stupid enough to admit it to you."
"Hn. I see."
Vegeta's hand swept slowly over Bulma's cheek. If only others knew how much gentleness his fearsome hands were capable of, she thought. He would be unwilling to admit it.
Every kiss has a unique personality.
Theirs did.
Relief, care, and even the blossoming of a far-fetched, unexpected friendship blended the moment their lips joined. Love was improbable and extremely impractical. Nothing could be done about that. So much was broken in Vegeta that it couldn't be discussed.
At the very least, for the time being, they had something.
"I have to go now."
"I know you do." Bulma touched his chin, nodding in agreement. "You should. I understand."
Vegeta returned to training center, crossing his arms in an "X" over his chest. Laser rays raced overhead. Flaming ki beams from his palms hit every simulated target as he back-flipped through the fusillade.
Though she still felt fuzzy, Bulma opened her laptop to review a couple sketches. A new message popped up, which was annoyingly written in all capital letters. The missive reminded her of an apology she hadn't made.
The show must go on, she thought.
A/N: Those coordinates are real. Check out the actual location, Alaska's Kakuhan Range, for fun. (Everything else about the area I made up.) Yay, Earth! ?