Chapter: 5 \\ what have we here?
Author: Flotilla
Rating: PG-13
Author's Note: Characters may be OOC. Now read and review, Flotilla commands you!
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Vegeta slept heavily, a slight purr coming from him. Any other situation would've found Bulma stuttering for words at the alien Adonis before her, his muscled washboard abs only a brief indication of his powerful body. Sheets covered his lower body, otherwise Bulma would have had to shield her eyes and turn away lest she be overcome with lust.
She decided not to disturb him, understanding how it probably felt to be jarred out of a doze by a woman you basically hated.
"Sweet dreams, Vege-chan." The blue-haired woman whispered and walked away. "Dende knows how much you need them."
The next morning found a quiet Saiyan at the breakfast table, chewing slowly his tenth piece of toast. A cup of steaming hot black coffee was in one hand, the fork with the toast in the other. Mrs. Briefs then placed a small platter with ten grapefruit halves, sugar placed liberally on them.
Bulma stepped into the dining room jauntily, wearing a light blue shirt and white shorts. She had had a good night's sleep and was raring to go to work on some new inventions Capsule Corporation was doing. Grabbing a box of Cheerios, she poured the oat cereal into her favorite blue porcelain bowl with white flowers. Then she put some milk into it, stirred the breakfast once with her spoon then sat down and began eating.
Minutes later, Bulma finished up her meal and then noticed Vegeta. Her happy mood changed into one of concern. He seemed very tired and vulnerable, but she didn't dare say a thing unless he went berserk and attacked her.
"Vege?" She began slowly.
He looked up at her, eyes feeling so heavy. "What?" He tried to add his customary bite to the question, but found to his surprise he couldn't.
Bulma too was shocked but said nothing. "What's wrong? You seem so… exhausted."
"Your breathing's so loud I couldn't sleep!" He snapped, and Bulma had to smile a little for he had just insulted her. Normally this would have began a very long argument, but Bulma wisely said nothing to provoke the moody Saiyan.
Vegeta got up abruptly and stormed out the door. Bulma stood up and noticed with sadness he was headed to the gravity room.
"Oh Vege… you're still too tired." She said heavily and then an idea popped into her head. She ran in Vegeta's direction, carefully so he wouldn't notice her. Miraculously she made it to the control panel at the back of the gravity room and thanked Dende Vegeta had just entered. Quickly Bulma pulled out her treausured screwdriver and made a few minor changes. "there!" She finally whispered and stealthily walked away.
"It's for your own good, Vege."
Vegeta pressed the green button that would start up the machine but to his surprise, there was no hum or flickering of lights that would suggest the start-up of the gravity. Annoyed and angry, he kicked the button repeatedly but found no signs of the machine working. His face scowling, he stormed out and found Bulma in her office, studying some blueprints.
"Woman. Your incompetency has caused the machine to break down again." He said coldly.
Bulma ignored him, a secret smile tugging on her lips.
"Woman. Did you hear me?"
"Hm? Oh good morning Vege-chan! I was just studying these blueprints-"
"Cut the talk. Go fix the machine. Now." Vegeta grumbled.
Bulma glared at him. She had to keep up all pretexts of innocence, and her typical character. Otherwise the Saiyan would know she was up to something and her plans would be broken to pieces. Shooting up from her chair, she raised a fist and snapped, "It's called courtesy!"
"What would you know about 'courtesy?'" Vegeta sneered.
"More than you!" She huffed and sat back down, mentally grinning. This way she could help Vegeta indirectly get better before he got worse. Better to disable the gravity room and face a ticked off Saiyan than have to hear a gigantic explosion, run towards the gravity room and notice a bloody unconscious body among rubble.
Swearing he stormed off.