Disclaimer: I do not own anything belonging to the Dragon Ball universes that privilege rests with Akira Toriyama.

AN: This is a long chapter folks, I hope that you enjoy it!

"Alright, out with it. What bet did you three wager about Vegeta?" Bulma said as she walked back into the den. All of her friends broke out into pearls of laughter. The blue-haired heiress pouted and put her fists on her hips.

"We tested him a little, that's all," Candi said.

You what!? What kind of test?" Bulma felt like she was going to die, she had known it was a bad idea to come back here but she had thought Vegeta would be in bed… Wait why was he never in his room when she came home late? He always went to sleep early when she was home.

"We wanted to see if he would reject Danna if she came onto him," Candi said as if it was of little concern.

"And from the sounds of things he rejected her and even shouted that he wanted Bulma. So, I think that means I won." Lizz added in triumphant pride that she had been right.

"Only half," Danna corrected, "you said he would declare his love for her and that's not what he said."

"Honestly, for Vegeta, that's probably as good as I'll ever get," Bulma mumbled over her drink.

"So he rejected you soundly then? Ha! you said only half, but I won because he rejected you!" Lizz teased sticking out her tongue at Danna.

"You are all insane, that was a risky stunt you pulled Danna," Bulma shook her head.

"I think it was great B! He clearly loves you, and I'm so happy I was right and he rejected Danna!" Lizz added rubbing her victory even more.

"I don't think you get it Lizz," Bulma hoped they didn't try anything like this again.

"Why don't we hear from Danna about her attempted seduction?" Candi said, she wanted to know everything just in case it wasn't to her satisfaction and they had to do more.

"I couldn't get him to react to me at all, he seemed annoyed I was even in there. He glared at me the entire time, and never even looked away from my eyes. Then when I tried to touch him, he moved so fast and grabbed me so hard I think I'm going to bruise. He's hot but he's not very pleasant, he's downright scary actually. I thought he would've been more like Yamcha, cause you know, you do have a type B, but this guy is like a whole other level of bad boy it makes my skin crawl. I saw something in those eyes I never want to see again, I don't know what it was but it gave me chills like ice stabbing into my soul. He's so cold. Then the way he didn't even see me anymore once you came in, and the way you guys were fighting it was almost adorable. I never thought I'd see a guy stand up to Bulma Briefs in my life but he just moved into you, met your anger with his own it was...I don't know, magnificent. I can see why you liked him, he's not afraid of you or your wrath. Remember how Yamcha would always cower away from you when you were angry or leave when you were upset with him? I can't see Vegeta doing that.

"Damn now I wish I had been in there to witness it or tried to seduce him myself," Candi said, pondering the descriptions of the man's actions.

"After the way that you spoke to him? I doubt he'd have even stuck around long enough to even let you get close," Danna said. "Trust me," she placed her hand on Candi's and looked her dead in the eye, "he is terrifying that close up."

"Bulma are you sure you and Trunks are safe with him?" Lizz asked

"What the hell did you say to him?" Bulma asked at the same time Lizz spoke. Bulma couldn't believe them, they were testing fate prodding at the former mass-murdering intergalactic soldier. "Well," she looked at Lizz and tap her two index fingers together. "He's not all that bad, it's been over five years since he's killed anyo-" Bulma's hand flew to her mouth and her eyes went wide as all her friends stared at her in shocked horror.

"HE'S DONE WHAT!?" they all screamed in unison and Bulma cringed.

"Yeah, didn't I mention that a few years ago on our trip?" Bulma asked with a cheery smile and waved her hand at them, trying to play it off that she had just confessed Vegeta had been a killer.

"No, you most certainly did not!" Candi stood and leaned over Bulma.

Lizz got up on her hands and knees to get in her face as well, "Has he ever hurt you?"

Danna sat perfectly still her drink lifted halfway to her lips, eyes as wide as saucers.

Bulma cringed again. "Once, when we first met he hurt me, but he'd only pushed me to get to what he needed. It's a really long story, but i-"

"Was he involved in a crime syndicate?" Candi asked, her hands stubbornly on her hips.

"No!" Bulma blushed, "he's ex-military...well...sorta. I mean-"

"Bulma if he's abusing you, you need to get him out of here, away from Trunks," Lizz implored her friend, concerned for her safety.

"He would never hurt me! He'd sooner rip off his own hands!" Bulma finally shouted to get them to stop interrupting her. "Seriously you guys. He-I… I told him not to touch me over a week ago and he hasn't until today, even though I'm always putting my hands on him." Blushing at the innuendo that could be conscribed from her words she quickly waved her hands and clarified her meaning. "Not like that but his hands, shoulder or arms, poking him in the chest... He respected me he even said I was brilliant the other day, well he said Trunks was brilliant just like me. He's really different when it's just me and him, and Trunks too, he's almost sweet even."

"B-b-b…" Danna was finally coming out of her shock. "BUT HE'S KILLED PEOPLE!"

"Yeah, a lot of people…" Bulma admitted.

"We haven't been to war in DECADES, so where was he killing all these people for the military? Well, 'sorta military'," Candi asked, her scowl beginning to rival Vegeta's.

"Yes, WE haven't been to war in decades. I never said he was in our military, and the last time I checked child soldiers weren't real military," the gasps from her friends gave her a smug feeling of satisfaction.

Lizz sat back her eyes going wide and her hands flew to cover her mouth, "He was a child soldier? How young was he?" she couldn't help but think of her own son sleeping safely at home in his bed. How anyone could do such a thing to a child she would never understand.

Bulma frowned, "I'm not really sure, all I know is that he was pretty young, still a child. We haven't really talked about it that much. I know he was basically a slave, and that it's a very sensitive subject for him. I hope I can learn more about him tomorrow, we kinda have a date," Bulma blushed.

"You have a baby with him and you don't know these kinds of things about him?" Lizz pointed out.

"Well, we didn't really talk all that much," Bulma confessed, "and it was more of a tryst that got out of hand than a relationship. He was really distant until the night he threw Yamcha out."

"He threw out that son of a bitch?" Candi questioned.

"The night we broke up, grabbed him by the throat, growled in his face, dragged him to the door, and literally threw him out the door," Bulma smiled.

"No wonder Yamcha doesn't come around anymore," Danna shivered remembering the menacing look in those cold black eyes.

All of them looked at Danna the two confused by her behavior. Bulma leaned forward on her knees and touched her hand to Danna's knee. "Did he really scare you that much?"

Waving her friends off Danna smiled at them, "no not really, just I now know what that look in his eyes was, and where I recognized it. You know men born into crime and who have committed murder get that look, and I'm just a little um… freaking the fuck out that I tried to seduce a guy like that!"

They all giggled at her reaction, but Candi sobered first and clearing her throat got Bulma's attention. "Where did you meet him? What country is he from?"

"Oh he was originally from a land that doesn't exist anymore, and as to which country he was a soldier from I don't know," Bulma was trying to tell the truth as close as she could get to it without giving up things she was not supposed to be talking about. "I met him when he was on the run from the person that thought they owned him."

"So you have a date with him tomorrow? You sure he'll show after your fight?"

Were you two in the hall to have heard or entire confrontation?" Bulma

Lizz at least looked contrite. Candi on the other hand just sat back down smug and proud her plan had gone according to plan. Even though she felt a bit guilty at her words to him before. If he has been a child soldier and slave until five years ago maybe he wasn't that bad of a person. He just didn't know any different, even though he had a smug superiority complex that didn't seem to fit that story. Was Bulma's telling them the truth?

"Oh yeah I tripped over Candi in the dining room," Danna giggled.

"Well maybe if your legs weren't so freakishly long!" Candi shot back.

"If you were taller than the table maybe I could've seen you!" Danna countered.

Both women growled at eachother angrily facing off. Bulma giggled at their antics into her glass of wine.

"Alright, alright," Liz placed her hands to both women's faces and pushed them apart. "Break it up, Bulma was going to tell us about her date with Vegeta tomorrow."

Bulma glared at Lizz for returning the attention back to her.

Oh, yeah… so, what's he like in the sack?"

"Danna! What the fuck!?" Bulma.

"I bet he's a real animal," Candi said, gnashing her teeth and curled her fingers pretending to claw at Danna.

Lizz caught in the middle just rolled her eyes and shook her head, some things never changed. "Judging by her face I'd say the two of you aren't far off from the truth," she said noticing the fluster in Bulma's expression.

"Or... Not close enough," Bulma said biting her lower lip, sucking it into her mouth as her smile spread and her face began to burn.

The other women hooted with glee at the brazen comeback from their friend and they all laughed together with the lightened mood.

The next morning Vegeta awoke before dawn he was determined to have a day to himself, Bulma could care for the child today. Smirking at the idea of Bulma having to chase the child around he rose from his bed to dress. Putting on his flight suit, white boots, and gloves as well as his basic cuirass, Vegeta went to wake his son and inform him of his plans.

Trunks was still asleep and Vegeta placed his broad calloused hand over the child and huffed out quiet half barks until blue eyes blinked open. "Good morning son," Vegeta said with a gesture.

"Dada I'm not ready," Trunks replied, 'dada' being the only English word he spoke.

"That is fine, child," Vegeta said, continuing with mostly gestures so he didn't wake whoever had the other half of the monitor right now. "I came to tell you that I will be gone most of the day."

"Why?" Trunks asked his eyes getting big with worry.

"Because I need some time to myself," Vegeta answered.

"Why?" Trunks asked again.

"The dwelling is full."

"Why?"

"The three extra females around."

"Why?"

"They were celebrating with your mother, and before you ask why again," Vegeta added quickly to avoid more of the same question. Taking a deep breath to calm his irritation with the annoying behavior of children he continued. "I do not know. So don't ask again," when Trunks pouted, hurt by his harsher tone Vegeta tried to smooth out over. "I will ask your mother tonight and I will tell you tomorrow morning."

Trunks gave an excited nod and smiled up at his father. "When will you be back?"

"When I am satisfied with my day," Vegeta offered, but when he saw the distress build in Trunks' very being, he offered a more permanent time frame. "I will be back for the evening meal son."

Again Trunks nodded vigorously before he stood up in his crib and tried to climb out.

Vegeta picked up the child and purred for him as the tiny arms wrapped his neck. "Behave for your mother today, and try to use your Earth words. I know you have been practicing," Vegeta smirked down at his son and placed the child back into his crib. "Rest, it is early and your mother was up late as were you. I will see you this evening," Vegeta reassured the boy then exited the room, and then the house. Flying away into the rising sun.

Bulma awoke to sounds she normally associated with nature documentaries. Confused and light-headed Bulma strained to open her eyes. What she saw made her jump back and squeak in surprise. Candi was sitting on her bed looking towards the door. Her hair in complete disarray and makeup making her look almost like a literal raccoon. Her glasses hanging from her fingers where her arms rested on her knees. Turning to look at Bulma when her friend made a rather silly nose of her own. In the silence Bulma recognized Vegeta's deep apish voice and Trunks' higher one, her eyes widened in realization at what her friend was witnessing.

"I don't know where this guy is from Bulma, but those aren't the words from any language I've ever heard come from humans…" She leveled Bulma with a pointed look before she smiled brightly, "I'm glad he is being a good parent, and that you are so enamored with each other. I just," her smile faltered and she looked back to the door. "I just hope someday you will let me in on this secret you are keeping. All the red tape surrounding him and Trunks' is a little disconcerting," Candi stood up and walked into the bathroom, and started the shower.

Bulma flopped back into her bed and let out a groan. Candi was onto her, to them, it wasn't safe. Not until she had the paperwork, just because the secretary Scarlette said he was cleared didn't mean a fucking thing. The government could decide whatever they wanted between now and when they finally handed her the files. It was safer the fewer people that knew about his origins. Drifting off into sleep again Bulma slept through Candi leaving.

Hours later Bulma awoke to sounds of her son giggling and two women playing with him. Sitting up she saw Candi and Danna sitting on the floor of her room with her son.

"Mama!" Trunks shouted excitedly and took a few steps to her bed and climbed up the blankets.

Bulma was overjoyed he had finally called her mama. Picking up her son she tossed him in the air a few inches, "Goodmorning my wonderful son!" she said her delight in the greeting shining through.

"She lives!" Danna said as she leapt onto the bed bouncing mother and son beside her. "We gotta get going sista, we are taking the train back to Central and Candi's got the redeye to the eastside, tonight."

Candi stood and smiled at her best friend. "That boy of yours is very strong, and smart as a whip."

"Well considering how smart his mama is I'm not surprised," Danna agreed.

Setting Trunks down Bulma pulled her girls into a hug. "I'm sorry I slept in so late and missed Lizz leaving."

"It's fine love," Candi said, squeezing her sisters together. "She lives down the road you can see her whenever you want to. Besides we knew she would want to go home early, Trunks stood in your place and had breakfast with us."

"Uh!" Bulma pulled back and looked shocked down at Trunks where he was trying to get in on the hug. "Did you take my place at breakfast?" she teased gently, her tone loving and sweet.

Trunks nodded and signed 'Dad go.'

Danna pulled him in and kissed his head. "He keeps doing that. Is it sign language?"

"Yeah his father has been teaching him," Bulma explained to her friends. "That's fine dada is gone, sweety. That means I get to spend my whole day with you!" she squealed, making Trunks bounce excitedly. "Come on babe let's see off your aunties."

After her friends left, Bulma let her mother feed Trunks his snack while she showered and dressed for the day. Going completely casual for her day with her baby boy she wore cuffed skinny jeans and a white tank top with the Capsule Corp logo on the back. She was overjoyed to have a day with her son, it had been over a week since she had spent a whole day with him.

Back downstairs Bulma took Trunks to play in her mom's flower gardens. They walked the rows and she told him the different names of the different plants. She wanted him to practice walking as much as possible today. They ate lunch with her parents and returned to the yard where Bulma read Trunks a story and they napped together under the shade of an old tree. Once Trunks awoke Bulma took him to the park and stayed there until Trunks fell asleep and Bulma pushed him home.

Bulma was with Trunks in the kitchen. The child was sitting in his highchair having his second course of food. Bulma was setting the table for dinner. Panchy was dishing up all the different platers. Bulma smiled at how much Vegeta ate and her son definitely shared his appetite.

"Bulma sweetie?" Her mother called to the woman lost in her thoughts.

"Yeah, mom?" she asked in reply.

"Would you be a dear and get Vegeta for dinner?"

"Mom, Vegeta isn't here," Bulma thought, her mother knew that considering the small lunch she had prepared.

"Just go check for me and make sure. I made all this food," she said gesturing to all the food she had laid out on the table. "It would be a shame to let it go to waste."

"Alright, I'll go," Bulma said, giving in to her mother's request. "I'll be back down to eat with you in a jiffy," she said, standing to go check Vegeta's room, even though she didn't see the point he wasn't home.

Knocking twice Bulma turned the doorknob and walked two steps into the door. Then she turned right around and shut the door collapsing against it as her mind reeled with what she had just witnessed. She had walked in on Vegeta literally shredding his suit, his body glistening with sweat, smeared with ash, and singed in a few spots. No matter how many times she saw his body she couldn't get over the chiseled attributes. When she heard his heavy footsteps approach the door she scrambled to stand up.

Vegeta had ripped the fabric of his flight suit so fast it was torn to shreds in a split second. That same second he had pulled his door was wrapped upon then the Woman entered but just as quickly as his door swung open it shut and she was gone. It happened so fast he wasn't sure if his mind was playing tricks on him. Feeling for her ki he found her on the other side of his door, so he stormed over to let her get off the floor before he opened it.

Neither succeeded for when Vegeta opened the door Bulma fell onto his feet. She had one hand still against the door and only one foot under her when the door flew open and she lost her balance. Vegeta had reacted to her tumble and flew up to catch her with the toes of his boots barely an inch above the floor. He wouldn't have let her get hurt, he wasn't a complete monster, not to her.

"Explain to me the reason for your intrusion, woman," Vegeta asked her where she still lay on the floor, her head resting on his toes.

"Uhhh…" Bulma couldn't remember why she was there anymore.

"You look like a dying fish laying there with your mouth open," he growled and stepped out from under her head and went to sit on his bed and remove the filthy boots. "What are you doing up here?"

Bulma glared at him as she sat up on the floor, he didn't have to step out from under her so abruptly. "My mom asked me to come up here. Dinner is ready."

"As I can smell the aroma filling the house," Vegeta stood up and walked to the bathroom door where he looked back over his shoulder. "I already know," then he shut the door with his foot, leaving Bulma staring at the place he had just been standing.

Dinner was quiet, Vegeta was stuffing his face with everything he could fit into it. He had forgone food for the entire day and was famished. Bulma and Panchy took turns feeding Trunks as they ate their dinners.

Once the meal was over Vegeta and Dr. Briefs had settled into the living room. Vegeta on the end of the couch and Dr. Briefs in the chair with its footrest near the window across from the doorway to the hall. They watched Jeopardy and discussed the ship's operational status and control systems. Trunks walked around the room climbing onto furniture into laps and around the coffee table. Bulma and Panchy cleaned up in the kitchen.

"Did you and Vegeta patch things up yet?" Panchy asked.

Bulma didn't say anything, last night had counted as more of an argument but he had quite loudly declared his desire for her.

"Well, for my sake please do it soon, he's been all fidgety and it's doing terrible things to my nerves," Panchy gently bumped her hip into her daughter's.

"I'm working toward it mom," glancing to where the subject of their discussion sat, she noticed Trunks on the couch poking into Vegeta's hair. The prince simply ignored the tiny fingers even when they pulled out hairs from the dark crown of velvety feather fluff as he carried on his conversation with her father. Bulma smiled and returned her attention to the dishes. "We are going to spend time together tonight, at least I hope he hasn't forgotten."

"Oh, that's why he's settled in for the evening," Panchy said.

"What do you mean 'settled in'?" Bulma asked, turning to her mother.

"He's lounging in that seat, he's spending his time here, in the house, with the family, he's waiting for your date."

"Mom, it's not-" she stopped when she looked up to see her mom's cobalt blue eyes piercing into her soul. "Okay, it's kinda a date," Bulma blushed.

"Ooohhh!" Panchy squealed.

"Mom!" Bulma hushed her and looked over to where Vegeta was sitting. He was looking at them from the corner of his eye but she covered it by blowing a raspberry at Trunks, making the boy giggle. She proceeded to play peek-a-boo with him over the back of the couch.

Vegeta eyed them both after Panchy's outburst until Bulma started playing with Trunks. Then he just assumed they had seen something he had not and returned the majority of his attention to the Doctor.

"That time frame is adequate doctor," Vegeta said in response to the gravity chamber needing upgrades. "There is no imminent threat so I will be perfectly suited to training out of doors. Besides, I have my son's training to oversee and we will not be needing it for some time."

"I would certainly hope so," Bulma said sitting on the back of the couch and swinging her legs around to sit on the opposite end from him, nearest to her father. "He only just started walking might want him to be used to that before you begin to introduce G-forces."

"No, but it will be a part of his training eventually," Vegeta countered, locking eyes with her for a moment.

"Bulma my sweet," Dr. Briefs interjected, "you are just the person I need. Come here," he waved her over as he set his tablet down on the table.

It was more schematics and Vegeta watched as their heads slowly became like one. He and the boy being left out of the conversation. He growled in a teasing manner to the child and earned himself smiles and giggles.

"They have always been like this," Panchy said coming to stand behind Vegeta but just out of his blind spot.

"Who?" Vegeta asked, concerned he was missing something.

"Those two," panchy waved her hand between her husband and daughter. "They always get sucked into their work like that."

"Hmm… they are quite consumed, no?" Vegeta agreed.

Panchy came around and got onto the floor to taunt Trunks and encourage the boy to walk until his legs gave out. Vegeta sat back and finally felt so much more a part of this family by being in the room. When Trunks fell for the third time in twenty minutes he became frustrated and Bulma picked him up giving him a kiss.

"Is my little tiger tired? Come on let's get you to bed." She walked to the door and turned to smile at all in the room, " Say good night to grandma and grandpa, and to daddy!" her shining sapphire eyes landed on Vegeta before she turned around and rested Trunks over her shoulder and went up the stairs.

Notes: Read and review, please. It always brightens my day when I get to read a new review!