It feels great to be able to post another update! I really had fun writing this chapter, so I hope you enjoy reading it just as much! ^^

Bulma and Vegeta hadn't ended their argument in the best of ways, but things had been relatively calm between the two during the remainder of their time alone. The saiyan had taken Bulma up on her offer and he stayed at the Briefs residence, going out during the day and returning at night to sleep in his own room. There were times when he would fly out into the wilderness to meditate in the trees, and there were times that he would simply stay at the house to work out in the ship. During his training sessions he took himself seriously, not one to hold himself back or quit before it was time. Although he was focused and dedicated to his routine, the saiyan didn't spend nearly as long as he used to in training. Kakarot was gone, and along with that absence was the goal that Vegeta had lived by for more than three years.. Vegeta no longer woke up each morning with the vow to surpass his rival's strength. There was no use for it, and even if Kakarot was still alive the saiyan prince wasn't sure if there'd be a point.

He'd seen it during the fight with Cell, and he'd faced it - his own inferiority.

It took a lot for a saiyan, especially one of royal lineage, to admit when he was outranked. But it also took a great amount of intelligence to recognize such defeat. It was something that he'd had no choice but to do, and it left him with a great deal of uneasy enlightenment. It was a hard to reality to face, but it also left him with a newfound sense of peace that he'd struggled with finding for years. He wasn't constantly trying to get his fingers around something that was unattainable anymore - he'd accepted his own place, and instead of putting so much energy towards something that was futile, he was simply working for himself. With Frieza, the Androids, and Cell all dead, there really was no threat to the peace or safety that came with residing on Earth. There was not a single person that Vegeta needed to prove himself to anymore, and so he trained for the sake of maintaining all of the progress he'd already made with his strength. With each day he could feel himself getting stronger, and it secretly pleased him. But at the end of the day he had nobody to prove himself to anymore. He'd seen Kakarot and Gohan. He'd seen the power that Cell had carried, and he'd had to come to terms with the fact that he'd never quite reach that level. Vegeta knew he was strong - very strong, but he recognized that he wasn't the only being capable of emitting great strength. He could respect that in his own right. He'd be a fool not to.

As far as things were concerned with Bulma, after the exchange they'd shared that one night Vegeta had retreated a bit in his verbal advances on the woman. Sure, her words were a blow to his ego. At the time he felt as if he were going to completely lose his mind, but after a night of sleep he woke up with a new determination. She might have been harsh with her words, but he knew that she was softening up around the edges. He was even back to sleeping under the same roof as her, and she'd been the one to offer that to him! Slowly but surely, he was making progress. He was just going to need more time...

She'd claimed that she couldn't believe his words, and that her distrust stemmed from years of his fickle behavior and unkept promises. The one thing she hadn't told him, but that he deducted from what she'd said, was that he needed to change his approach. Their last conversation was the most productive one they'd manage to have, because he'd finally been able to lay his side of things down and she'd actually listened. Now that their differences had been communicated, Vegeta felt as if he could move on from constantly trying to get a word with her. The Saiyan wasn't going to attempt any more futile discussions with his woman, no. But he was never going to back down. She now knew his side of things, and if she wanted to have a reason to believe what he said then he was just going to have to give her one. If that meant that he'd have to make this clear with his actions, then that was just something he was just going to have to do. And this was annoying to his pride - the prince of saiyans wasn't exactly enthusiastic about having to work so hard in order to obtain approval from another. In his younger years, anyone who disapproved of him would typically be destroyed as punishment, but things were different now. Bulma wasn't deserving of such a brutal treatment - although she definitely was a thorn in his rear. It was both amusing and emasculating, but it was a challenge that he was going to accept.

Several days had come to pass, and it was one morning when Vegeta was out in the ship when he began to feel the ki of Mr. and Mrs. Briefs. 'Oh, great!' He thought. 'They're back...'

With a grunt the saiyan shut off the gravity machine and threw his shirt on. There was a sense of grief to know that things were going to be less quiet around the house. He'd really enjoyed how things were when it was just him and Bulma alone together - even if they weren't on the best of terms. They'd been able to coexist with relative peace, and he'd found quite a liking for it. She'd spent her time flipping through magazines or clicking away at her computer, while he spent his own working out, meditating, or interacting with nature. And despite the cold front that she put on, whenever he walked into the house from his time alone there seemed to be a warm meal waiting for him. Each night when he retreated to his room the bed was prepared, and each morning when they'd pass each other in the hall she'd wish him to have a good day. He'd found this new routine to be refreshing, and so it was with a heavy heart that he walked into the house and faced the shrill squeal of Mrs. Briefs as she wrapped her arms around him.

"Oh, VEGETA! It's so nice to see you're here!" The blonde grandmother planted a wet kiss on his cheek, and the saiyan let out a growl of protest. Mrs. Briefs stepped back and beamed, looking from Bulma, to the saiyan, and back to Bulma again. "I hope you two were able to get along while we were gone! Oh, we just had the best time!"

Wiping at his cheek, Vegeta was taking in a deep breath to prevent becoming overwhelmed from all of the commotion. In the background Mr. Briefs was pulling some of his luggage across the room, which resulted in a loud dragging noise as the wheels of his suitcase screeched. Mrs. Briefs was still gushing to Bulma and Vegeta about the things she did during her trip, Trunks was wailing as he hugged Bulma, and even Mr. Briefs' pet birds were squawking from the other room. Each and every sound intermingled into one deafening wave of chaos, and Vegeta could feel his left eye starting to twitch.

"Mom, mom. Mom!" Bulma was saying, interrupting her mother's enthusiastic story. She was struggling with Trunks as he yowled at her. "Mom! This all sounds great, but I think I need to feed the baby!"

"Oh, right! We haven't eaten all morning! I'll cook us up somethin' good! Vegeta dear, you'll stay and have lunch with us, won't ya?!"

There was so much going on at once that the saiyan had lost track of what was even happening. He gulped and nodded, wishing to reunite with silence as soon as possible. Mrs. Briefs let out one last squeal and ran for the kitchen, singing about how lovely the sky was outside.

The saiyan turned to plant his eyes on Trunks, who had ceased in his crying as soon as Mrs. Briefs left the room. The baby had a desperate scowl on his face, and Vegeta felt instant empathy. The boy wasn't hungry - he was only going mad! It was something the Saiyan could relate to on a personal level, as he could feel his own head starting to spin with frustration. "Let me take the child." He finally said, and it took Bulma by surprise.

"What?" She asked, hugging her baby protectively. She wasn't used to Vegeta showing such interest in Trunks - especially not when he was acting so stern. "What are you going to do with him?"

"Don't argue, Woman! The boy is my son, and he's coming with me."

Trunks appeared to be in shock when the Bluehead reluctantly handed him over to his father. It seemed both uncomfortable and unnatural as Vegeta held on to his son. He wasn't quite sure of what to do, using both hands to hold the child away from his body and avoiding eye contact with the boy. After a few seconds he turned, gesturing his head to the back of the room. "Open the door for me, Woman."

"Can't you do that yourself?!"

"My hands are full!"

Bulma sighed. "Just balance him on your hip! It'll free up one of your hands! Kami, Vegeta, you look like you're afraid he's going to hurt you or something!"

The saiyan glared, but he obliged to the best that he could. It felt strange to hold his own son so close to him, but he'd seen the woman and everyone else handle Trunks in this manner. So perhaps it didn't appear as out-of-place as it felt. The Woman was right - as silly as it felt, carrying his son in this way enabled him to open the door by himself, and Vegeta carried Trunks all the way to his ship. Once they were inside he set the boy down on the cold tile floor and stood over him. Trunks looked up curiously, unsure of what the expect out of the situation.

"Listen, boy. If you wish to get peace away from the chaos that takes place inside, you'll have to find it in here." Vegeta said, his hands on his hips as he looked down at the baby. Trunks didn't respond in the slightest, his mouth dropped open as he stared up at his father with awe. 'Wow,' Little Trunks thought. 'A way out!' What had done to deserve such a gift!?

"These are the quarters in which I train my body." Vegeta explained, gesturing at the ship behind him. "If you're going to spend time in here, I expect you to work on yourself as well."

It was then that Trunks snapped his gaze from Vegeta, looking around to observe the area in which Vegeta had referenced.

"Now, I expect you to get up and start moving. You're going to have to learn how to walk in order to do that! And don't disturb me while I work out." The Saiyan concluded, turning on his heel and making his way to the other side of the room. He made a show out of pulling off his shirt and began to do push ups, being sure to count loudly as if to exemplify what he wanted Trunks to do. The baby stared at his Dad and then continued to observe the room around him, noting that there wasn't anything for him to grab onto and practice standing against. He didn't feel that there was much else he could do, and this new opportunity to watch his father from such close proximity was too much to pass. So little Trunks began to crawl towards Vegeta, who was still doing pushups in his own zone.

When the worried and curious Bulma walked into the ship only a few minutes later, she was surprised to see the two males inside. Trunks was sitting beside his Dad, watching intently as his father continued in his exercise routine. "Trunks?" She called, and the baby looked up dumbly. Vegeta, who had been on his last set of pushups, paused and turned as well.

"What is it, Woman?!" He grunted, sweat forming at his forehead. "We're working in here!"

Bulma raised an eyebrow and fought back a smirk. "We? You're the only one I see doing anything..." She made her way across the room and scooped Trunks into her arms. "Aren't you two wanting to eat?"

Trunks, still in awe at being so close to his father, sported a grin.

As the weeks passed and life became more regular, Bulma grew rather used to Vegeta hanging around the household in his usual reserved manner. Vegeta didn't exactly whisk Trunks away into the ship every time he trained - but it was something he did when he recognized the look of desperation upon his son's face when things were becoming too hectic within the household. It seemed that all Trunks did during these times was sit next to his father and watch as he threw punches in midair, practiced his power ups, or counted his situps out loud. Vegeta never acknowledged his son in the slightest during these times, although he did note how observant the boy was.

Bulma, who didn't want Trunks to become as obsessive and closed-off as Vegeta had a history of behaving, was conflicted with it all. She was flattered by the idea that Vegeta was acting in such a way as to include Trunks, but she was worried about what really went on inside. One day she took it upon herself to ask her ex-lover about it when he returned into the house from a few hours in the ship with their son.

"What goes on in there?" She'd asked suspiciously, to which Vegeta simply replied "What do you think? We both train."

This wasn't enough to satisfy his curiosity, so she continued. "Trunks isn't even walking yet, what do you mean you both train?!"

"He may not be walking yet, but how do you expect him to learn without observation?"

This was enough to leave Bulma stunned, and she watched as Vegeta brushed past her and made his way upstairs for a shower. Sure enough, which each passing day, the Bluehead could see a bit of a change in her son. He was still only standing when he had something to latch onto and save him from falling, but he seemed more focused and confident than ever. Was this due to normal development, or did Vegeta have anything to do with it? The more she became used to the idea of the two spending alone time with one another, the more comfortable and flattered she felt. As even more days passed, though Bulma still had some resentment towards Vegeta, when she thought of him there was less hurt and more pride at the idea of him being the father of her son.

...

"What a little champion!" Mrs. Briefs was calling. Everyone was in the backyard except for Vegeta, who had disappeared into the woods for the day. Bulma had a big grin on her face, silently assisting her son in moving his feet. She was holding him by his two little hands and stepping backwards, the baby teetering towards her with each move. "Oh, come on!" Bulma cooed, noting that she was hardly having to support him at all as he practiced his steps. 'Alright!' She was thinking. 'He's got this!' If he went just a little further, she'd let go and allow him to practice without help.

Baby Trunks looked up at his mother as he took another step. He was wobbling back and forth a bit, his mind racing in disbelief. He just couldn't believe that he was standing - he was standing! And he was walking, too! Sure, he was doing it with his mother's help, but he was still moving! At this rate, he would be flying like his father in no time! It was with this cocky thought that Trunks made for another step, but he shifted his weight too much and went toppling forward.

'Ah!' Bulma thought. 'He was so close!' She was used to her sons' reactions during moments like these, so she stepped back to give him space. Mrs. Briefs, however, went running to his side. "Oh, come here! Poor baby!" She called, opening her arms to take him into her hands.

Trunks was pissed. He'd been too close to fail now! And his grandmother's coddling was disturbing him even more - couldn't she see that he was trying to walk? She was just going to pick him up and whisk him back to the house without giving him another chance! Why, she was getting in his way! The baby shot a glare up at his grandmother and pushed her hand back when she grabbed at him. If only he was able to form words - he'd tell her to back off!

Bulma felt her heart jump when she saw her baby's face - he reminded her so much of Vegeta during times like these. That furious glare, and that determination to be independent. He was definitely his father's son, and thinking this gave the blue-haired mother yet another sensation of pride. She turned to see that Mrs. Briefs' expression had dropped from being rejected by her own grandson, and Bulma couldn't help but to feel for her. "Don't worry, he's a stubborn little guy," She pointed out, in effort of comforting her. "I don't think he gets that from our side!" And with that, she turned to Trunks and placed her hands on her hips. "You get that from your Daddy, don't you? Well come on, let's see it! Get up, Trunks!"

Daddy?

Trunks blinked up at his mother, appreciative that she seemed to understand. With her permission he slowly lifted his head from the ground. It took a lot of focus on his part, but a moment later he was on his knees. As Bulma and her parents watched, Trunks lifted himself to his feet and stood triumphantly as he fought to keep his balance. "Good job!" Bulma cheered. It seemed that referencing Trunks to his father was all of the motivation he needed, so she jokingly chimed "Now, become a Super Saiyan!"

"Isn't it too early for that?" Mrs. Briefs giggled, applauding her grandson's success.

Trunks' legs trembled as he struggled to keep from falling. Sure, he wasn't walking yet, but he was at least standing without any help at all! The baby grinned, knowing that it was only a matter of time until his goals would be accomplished. He couldn't wait to show off his new skill the next time his daddy took him into that ship.

Little did Trunks know that Vegeta wasn't surprised at all when Bulma shared the news.

"He stood all by himself today!" She gushed when the saiyan had returned to the house a few hours later. Vegeta hardly responded, taking a bite out of an apple he'd retrieved from the refrigerator. This disappointed Bulma to the point that she became cross. After all of the time Vegeta had been spending with his son, she'd expected at least some type of reaction. "Did you hear me?" She raised a stern eyebrow. "Your son stood on his own today! Don't you care?!"

"Am I supposed to be surprised? Of course the boy is going to make progress after our time in the ship." He shrugged, taking another bite from the fruit in his hand.

Once again the Bluehead was stunned into silence. This was something that had always attracted her to Vegeta - they had different ways of thinking, but he was definitely smart. He'd been helping Trunks in his own way - through "observation", as the saiyan himself had put it. Had this been a part of his plan all along, or just an anticipated bonus?

In her thoughtful state, Bulma finally remembered something else she'd wanted to share with him. "I don't know if you had plans to train with Trunks tomorrow or not, but I'm taking him out with me."

"Oh?" The saiyan, who hadn't necessarily been planning to include Trunks on his training, hardly cared.

"I'm taking him with me to Chi-Chi's place for a visit."

Chi-Chi? Kakarot's woman? Ah, now Vegeta was interested. He'd finished his apple, so he dropped its core into the trash bin and turned, wiping his hands off onto his shirt. "I see. And what time are we going over there?"

We? Bulma furrowed her eyebrows. "Trunks and I will leave after breakfast." She replied, dragging her words as she spoke.

Vegeta nodded and began to head out of the room. "Good to know... I'll make sure to be ready, then."

Once again Bulma was stunned. "I... I didn't invite you!" She called as Vegeta disappeared through the door, and he didn't respond. Why on Earth did Vegeta care if she was going to visit with Chi-Chi or not? Chi-Chi had called her earlier in the day, telling her she had something important to speak about. By the sounds of it, it was something personal, and she wasn't sure if she'd want Vegeta to be around to hear.

"Great. A trip with Vegeta." Bulma muttered out loud. "Just great."