AN yes! Chapter eleven is finally out kiddies! I'm so proud of me. Heh heh. This chapter is kind of confusing so if you need explanation, let me know. Don't forget to review after you read! Gracias to my new best friend, the reader who told all of her glass animals about my story. =) You don't have to be my best friend if you don't want to. =(Please Please Please! Review my story! I was REALLY disappointed at the number of reviews I got last time.
DISCLAIMER: We should all know by now that DBZ does not belong to me at all. Don't sue!
CHAPTER ELEVEN: PRESIDNET BRIEFS
She opened her eyes slowly and waited for her eyes to get used to the light before looking around her. Her eyes moved over all of the equipment surrounding her bed and stopped on Vegeta who was snoring loudly at her side. Bulma felt her heart melt. She closed her eyes and went into Vegeta's dream.
(In Vegeta's dream) There were two of them. He wasn't afraid. He'd had this dream many times, usually when he was very upset and frustrated with something. He waited as the two Freezas prepared to kill him all over again. Somehow, Freeza had survived and he was stronger than ever. He got in a defensive position and waited as the two Freeza's prepared to kill him all over again. He remembered his death like it happened two minutes ago and every single detail of that battle was his to cherish and relive each time he dreamed. There was something different about the dream this time. The two Freeza's stopped powering up and stared at something just over Vegeta's shoulder. Vegeta turned and his eyes widened as he noticed Bulma standing behind him. *What...what is going on here? * He thought, in surprise as Bulma smiled at him. Vegeta forced himself awake and looked over at Bulma. She opened her eyes and tried to smile at him, but it hurt too much and she couldn't move anything above her waist with out pain.
*I hurt like h*ll*
*So you finally decided. * He thought expressionless.
*I did*
*It's about time you woke up woman. You were scaring people. *
*Did I scare you? *
*Never. * Vegeta thought back, laughing softly.
He couldn't touch Bulma (she was injured almost everywhere and surrounded by machines) so he drummed his fingers on the bedside table, slightly irritated.
The nurse finally came in the room with his blanket, pillow, and food, "Sorry I'm late, sir, but I...oh my Kami!"
She dropped everything on the floor when she saw Bulma was conscious and ran out of the room screaming for the doctor. Vegeta and Bulma didn't even notice her entrance. Dr. Page came jogging into the room and went to Bulma's side. He immediately started to give her a check-up as he started to talk to her, and stuck a thermometer in her mouth. "Well, well sleeping beauty, you're finally awake. You just don't know how hard it was to keep all the darn reporters out of here. I knew you could do it," Dr. Page said turning to Vegeta smiling. He held his hand out to Vegeta smiling. He held his hand out Vegeta, who took it wearily. Dr. Page shook his hand a few times, before finally letting it go. He ran a hand through his unruly hair and turned back to Bulma.
"Can you talk?"
Bulma couldn't open her mouth or make sound. A tear fell from her eye and she closed them, frustrated. Vegeta frowned at the doctor.
"Sorry about that." The doctor said, patting Bulma on her stomach (the only place where she had no injury), causing one of Vegeta's eyebrows to raise to the top of his widow's peak.
*Tell him it's not his fault, I'm just feeling really overwhelmed right now. * Bulma 'told' Vegeta. Vegeta raised his other eyebrow at Bulma's telling him what to do.
"Bulma says it's not your fault. She said she's crying because she overwhelmed."
Dr. Page's eyes widened dramatically, "How did she talk to you when she can't even open her mouth?"
Vegeta scowled. "It's a long story. We have a sort of…telepathic link."
Dr. Page rubbed his chin thoughtfully, as he looked from Bulma to Vegeta. "For some reason, I believe your story. I'm sorry to use you as a sort of middle man, Vegeta, but could you ask Bulma why she thinks she can't talk?"
*Well, you heard him woman, why can't you talk? *
*My mouth. I can't open it, I guess I hurt something around there and I am not sure at all why I can't make any noise. *
Vegeta told the doctor Bulma's response. Dr. Page jiggled the change in his pockets (a habit of his, in case you haven't noticed). "I think it may be an extremely mild touch of shock (A.N. I don't know if this could ACTUALLY happen, but too bad it's going to happen anyway, because I say so =). It will go away soon, don't be too worried about it. The doctor picked up her chart from the foot of the bed and made some changes. "All you need now is some time and lots of TLC." Dr. Page patted Bulma's stomach again, then shook Vegeta's hand briefly and left.
* What the h*ll is TLC? * Vegeta asked.
*Tender Loving Care. *
*Where are you going to get that? *
*Very funny mister. Don't make me kick you. *
*You'd only be hurting yourself, woman. *Vegeta laughed.
*Probably. You look terrible. What happened to you? You have circles under you eyes and you looked like something the cat dragged in. * Bulma scolded.
*I've been training, woman. And you don't look so great either. * Vegeta lied, as if he hadn't been rapidly admiring her 30 minutes earlier.
Bulma closed her eyes and struggled to lift her left arm. She raised it off the bed an inch and put it on Vegeta's. She locked her eyes on his.
*I love you Vegeta. *
*I know that. * Vegeta thought feeling as though he were drowning in her eyes.
Bulma would have frowned at him if it wouldn't have hurt so badly. She took her hand back from him angrily. She suddenly remembered what Goku told her not too long ago:
'He probably won't ever be able to tell you he loves you.' She closed her eyes and fell asleep.
Vegeta sat back down beside the bed, watching her. He could believe that she was finally out of her coma.
***********
Vegeta finally made himself call the WH and had Sue put him through to Goku. He told him about her waking up (I'm not sure exactly what this would be called.) Then hung up the phone.
*I can finally get some sleep. *He thought exhausted (he only slept 5 minutes in the past week!) He grabbed the pillow and blanket the nurse had brought him and sat in his chair. *How the hell am I supposed to sleep like this? * He thought angrily. He left Bulma's room and followed a series of signs until he finally found himself in the cafeteria. His stomach rumbled in anticipation. Vegeta glared at the cafeteria woman who squinted at him through her thick glasses.
"What do you want?" she asked him crossly.
Vegeta looked around to see the low class scum she HAD to be referring to (especially by the tone of her voice) but there was no one around but him. Vegeta turned back around, *Good. All the better for me. *He turned SSJ and laughed evilly (you know, that crazy Brian Drummond laughing that would make a chill go up your spine? Gosh, I miss him) at the frightened woman who thought he was (She is SO VERY wrong) an angel come to take her to hell for all the sins she had committed, and she fainted. Vegeta frowned at that and powered down. *Great. Now I have to serve myself. * He thought irritated. He grabbed some plates and started stacking up on the food. After he finished his 'snack' he sat down to watch television.
A news reporter was on and she was standing in front of the same hospital Vegeta was in.
This is Carrie Elwes reporting live from the Briefs' Memorial Hospital. We've just heard that the President is out of her coma, yet she is speaking in some kind of strange foreign language. She has a foreigner from another planet translating for her and they are engaged to be married. The president can't have any visitors yet but we plan on seeing her soon. Back to you Phil."
Vegeta snorted at the inaccuracy of the media. *What a load of bullsh *t. * He chortled, then stopped abruptly as he remembered that everyone he knows in Satan City watch this station. * Which means they're going to give me hell until I convince them it's untrue. *
Vegeta frowned and left the cafeteria to go to the lobby. *A coffee vending machine? * Needless to say, Vegeta got no sleep at all that night either.
********
Bulma woke up the next morning and wasn't sure where she was for a minute, then it hit her. * I had an accident and I'm in the hospital. * She closed her eyes again, tiredly. *Where's Vegeta? * She thought opening her eyes. Vegeta was at the window, wanting to go outside and leave the hospital he hated so much.
*Leave if you want to. * Bulma thought to him.
I'm not going to leave you here by yourself. *
*Just go! Before you do, could you turn the TV on and give me the remote control? * Vegeta grumbled as he turned on the TV and held the remote out to her. Bulma put al her will into lifting her hand for the remote. She finally did it. She let her arm fall heavily to her side with the remote.
*Thank you Vegeta. I love you. *
Vegeta mumbled something under his breath about bossy commanding earth women as he left the room.
Bulma felt her heart melt (ah, how cute). *That was as close to an 'I love you too' as I will probably ever get. As long as he shows me he loves me, he doesn't have to tell me. *
Bulma felt herself drifting back to sleep *It's those d *mn painkillers the doctor keeps giving me. * She thought. She made herself snap out of it. *I've got to get my strength back. *She lifted her arms with difficulty and held them out in front of her. She felt her muscles throb and protest but she grit her teeth and kept doing her exercise until five minutes had passed. She waited for a minute to go by before she repeated the exercise. She had been doing her workout for an hour when Vegeta walked in.
Reporters are trying to come talk to you."
I'm not exactly able to talk to anyone, and even if I could talk, I wouldn't want to talk to a reporter anyway. *
They're coming in two days, your doctor told them it would be okay." Vegeta said, bored.
*Well I hope they know sign language then. I've got a little finger here that has two words to say. * Bulma thought angrily.
Vegeta smirked at Bulma's thought. *That isn't very professional President Briefs. *
*Professional my hind foot. I'm in severe pain. The LAST thing I need is the d *mn press here, making me out to be a poor loser who can't even lift a remote control, in front of the whole world. *
Vegeta crossed his arms over his chest and looked out the window. "I have a feeling that will make them mad, since they won't be getting an interview from you."
*Well I'm just SO sorry for INCONVENIENCING THEM. If I have to spell it out for them finally understand that--wait! I have an idea. I'll just WRITE what I want to say, it's not like we have any other option, and no one else but the doctor would believe the link thing, and it's not like I can talk yet. All I need are pens and a pad of paper, which I can't get since I am stuck here...* Bulma trailed off looking at Vegeta pointedly.
"I'm going, I'm going." He growled as he left the room to go to the front desk.
Bulma smiled after him, *I'm so glad I realized I love that man. *
**************************
Two days later and Bulma finally had her neck-brace removed and had enough strength to write for long periods of time. A nurse helped her wash up and apply some simple make-up in preparation for her interview. She handed Bulma a brush and left. Bulma took her hair out of the ponytail it had been in ever since her crash and brushed it furiously. She quickly put it into her trademark formal bun. Right after she finished, Vegeta walked in with a new package of pens in his hand.
"Have you eaten yet?" he asked her.
Bulma pointed to a needlepoint in her arm that had given her lunch. Vegeta looked away in disgust. Bulma gave him a Æ smile and winced at the pain.
*Is it time yet? *
*Almost. * He thought, staring at her bun.
*What is it? Oh yeah. You don't like my hair in a bun, right? *
*You just remind me of someone when you wear it like that. *
*Who? *
*Here are your pens. *Vegeta thought throwing her the package.
Bulma felt her eyes begin to water, she wiped the tears away hastily before Vegeta could see them, and picked out one of her new pens.
*Thanks. *
Vegeta ignored her and sat in his chair beside her bed. The sat in tense silence until a series of loud knocks finally came from the other side of the door just before the team of news casters burst in. A photographer inched in the room and started taking pictures of everything from every possible angle. The cameraman came in the room with his camera level with Bulma's face. Bulma briefly shut her eyes, *I forgot how much I loathe the paparazzi. * Vegeta met her eyes and slightly raised an eyebrow, but said nothing. Bulma grabbed her pen and pad and smiled at the camera.
Good afternoon gentlemen and lady. I will be pleased to answer all of your questions but as you can see, it will take some time for me to answer.
Carrie Elwes stepped up. "President Briefs, could you smile and wave to the camera please? That will be our teaser for tonight." Bulma smiled radiantly but waved rather weakly at the camera. "Great. Now, there are few things I'd like to confirm with you. First off, we heard you were at first unable to speak our language when you first got out of your coma. Is that true?"
That is KIND of true. I can't speak at all yet, so in a way, I can't SPEAK our language.
"Ok, um...oh yes, we heard there was a foreign translator you are interested in
Translator? There's only my very good friend Vegeta. He isn't foreign. Bulma lied.
Carrie smiled slyly at Vegeta as she prepared to strike. "And what of your engagement? Surely that much is true?"
I have no knowledge of any engagement.
*Where the h *ll did that come from? Of course it doesn't sound like a bad idea* She thought.
Vegeta shrugged nonchalantly.
Carrie caught the look Bulma gave to Vegeta. Her die-hard reporter instincts told her there was something going on between the two. She stuck her microphone in Vegeta's face.
You're Vegeta right? So, is it true that you and president are not engaged or involved in any way?" As she said this, the cameraman zoomed in on Vegeta. Vegeta glared at Carrie; "Of course we're not." He growled.
Carrie smiled, "Then may I ask why the doctor says you have been here by the president's side for the last four days? Are you planning on--"
Just before she finished her question, Bulma 'accidentally' knocked her nightstand over with her elbow, causing a loud noise. A nurse bustled in and took in the situation with a glance. " She turned and frowned at the reporters.
"What are you doing? Get out of here! You are disturbing my patient!" The team gathered their equipment and prepared to leave. "Watch for us at eight!" Carried yelled as they left.
"That sly b*tch." Vegeta said angrily.
*I HATE the media. I shudder to think how they'll chop that interview up and edit it. It'll be on the front page tomorrow not to mention on the news tonight. * Bulma threw her pad and pen in the trashcan, and lay back on her pillows.
"When can you leave the hospital?" Vegeta asked her moving towards the door.
*The doctor says I'll be able to leave in two or three days. Why do you ask? *
*I'm leaving. * He said as he left. He blocked Bulma's thoughts before they could reach him.
Bulma was much too surprised to cry. She watched him leave. A weak mewling sound, much like the sound of a cat, was all she could get out before her voice disappeared again. Without Vegeta around, Bulma felt alone and scared. *He hates me, but why? What have I done? * She looked out of the window and saw Vegeta flying away from the hospital without a backwards glance. She did cry then.
**************
Vegeta stormed to his room, shoving anyone who crossed his path and giving them withering glances. He banged his door open and slammed it behind him. He tossed his suitcase on the bed and began to throw his things into it. Goku came into the room and sat down on the bed next to Vegeta's suitcase.
"Where are you going Vegeta?"
"Back to your house in Satan City" (that's where it is, right?).
"Why?"
Vegeta stopped throwing things and turned his murderous glare onto Goku, who just smiled back at him, nonplussed.
"None of your d*mn business." He spat.
"Let me guess. You're leaving because you think that reporter will put that story on the presses and make you look like some kind of fool and you're also afraid that Bulma is starting to think of getting married."
"Aren't you supposed to ask permission before you read minds?" Vegeta said sourly.
Goku grinned, "Yeah, but I knew you wouldn't have told me on your own. To get back on topic, that's not a good enough reason for you to leave. What will Bulma think of you?"
"I really don't give a d*mn."
"Liar." Goku said softly, "I can't believe you are willing to give Bulma up for something as trivial as your pride, Vegeta. I thought you were better than that, but I guess I was wrong." Goku left Vegeta in the room staring after him.
*If the woman cares enough she'll come to me, if not then I'll just forget her. * Vegeta thought as he closed his suitcase and left his room. He got a chauffeur to take him to the airport. Vegeta was let on at the last minute, only because he (and the other three that had come to the WH with him) was on the president's VIP list, which gave him special privileges.
As the plane took off, Vegeta opened his mind one last time, *I'm ending the link like you wanted woman, now you can get on with your life. * And with that he finally ended their link forever.
******
At the Briefs Memorial Hospital, Bulma was finally speaking (well, actually, she was screaming) her first words since her accident, "Vegeta! Don't' go! Don't leave me!" She sobbed herself to sleep and the concerned nurses watched her carefully to make sure she didn't regress any further.
A.N. I know kind of cheesy, but keep reading, it'll get better soon, I promise.
**********
That same day at 8:00 p.m.
Goku sat in the lobby watching the news. TV voice of Carrie Elwes.
"Today I had the chance to visit with President Briefs. She is alive and doing well. Doctor Page, her lead physician, says the only reason why she is out of her coma is because of one man. This man's name is Vegeta. Picture of Vegeta speaking into microphone. He's from Satan City, and he and two others were honored in an award ceremony not too long ago for saving the world. Clip from the ceremony where Bulma is kissing Vegeta. Since then, they have been living as guests in the WH. When I arrived at the hospital I was shocked to find the somewhat healthy looking President and this man, sitting comfortably together. Clip of Bulma writing and Vegeta watching her. This is extraordinary. He's not exactly tall, but he is dark and handsome, with a somewhat brooding quality about him. It is strange that he and the president, two people that seem to be total opposites get along so well. This was Carrie Elwes, back to you Phil."
Goku turned off the TV and shook his head, *Vegeta was so wrong. *
**********
The next morning, Bulma woke up and then immediately wished she hadn't. *Vegeta left me. He's mad at me for something, but what? What have I done? *
Bulma began to work her speech therapy with her old tenacity (and she kept on doing it, and practiced every chance she got.) She improved so much; Dr. Page commended her on it.
"You're doing so well Bulma! You can go home today, if you like. Right after you fill out some paper work."
Bulma nodded at him and got out of her bed to call Susie. *I hope she can understand me. My speech still isn't back to normal yet. *
Susie finally picked up, "Hello, this is the WH, maid speaking."
"Sue? Bulma. Chauffeur. Pick up at hospital?"
"Uh…sure. I'll send someone. Are you…okay Bulma?"
"Fine. Hurry." She said hanging up. *That wasn't as bad as I thought it'd be. *She thought, changing into clothes she had bought in the gift shop. She left her room in search of her doctor, so she could fill out that paperwork. She finally finished it, in ten minutes, and waved goodbye to him.
"Good bye Bulma. I'll see you tomorrow to take out your stitches right?"
Bulma nodded distractedly and walked out of the doors. She quickly got into the waiting limo which took her back to the WH. Susie greeted her at the door with tears in her eyes.
"I'm so glad to see you back Madam. Your friend (the ambassador's wife) calls everyday to see how you are. She's in Italy right now with her husband."
Bulma nodded, not really hearing what Sue was saying. She began to search for Vegeta. She checked the lobby and the kitchen. No Vegeta there. She carefully went up the stairs and opened the door to his room; it was empty. Bulma's eyes widened as she turned to leave the room…and then bumped into Goku, who was carrying a suitcase.
"Go--ku? Where…Vegeta?"
"He left a couple of days ago," Goku said softly putting his suitcase down. "The same day he left you at the hospital."
"Knew it. Felt it. Link gone. He left. For good." Bulma said crying silently.
Goku awkwardly patted her on the back as she continued, "He hates me. I'm no good. Not good for him."
Goku shook her gently (for him, poor Bulma is lucky she didn't fly out of a window). "You're wrong Bulma. Vegeta doesn't hat you. He just has a strong hold on his pride, and unfortunately, that usually comes before anything else." Bulma was shocked to hear this (I don't know why, she should have been able to tell before.) and hurt to think she came second to Vegeta's pride. Something inside her told her to forget Vegeta and to put him behind her. "Oh well. It was enter--entertaining while lasted." She said, trying to sound b*tchy.
"What are you talking about Bulma?"
"I used Vegeta. To make me look good. More people vote for me because find him irres-irresist-irresistable. Even accident was planned." She lied, feigning delight.
Goku watched her carefully. He didn't believe a word she just said, but he did believe it was time for him and the rest of the Z-gang to leave.
"I don't believe you Bulma just think about your feelings for a while. You know where to look for me if you ever need me. We're all leaving today."
Bulma hugged Goku, "Thanks." She stepped back and watched as he and Yamcha grabbed their bags and put them in the limo from the upstairs window (she was in too much pain to go back downstairs). A green man with a cape and turban flew over to them.
"It's about time we left this place." He said.
"What have you been doing Piccolo?" Yamcha asked.
Training, was all he would say as he got in with them. As the three finally left, Bulma felt both sorrow and joy at the same time. The White House was definitely quieter without them and more organized, yet she was alone now (except for the servants and they were usually pretty anti-social.
She (somehow) got down the stairs and went into the lobby to play her favorite game, Immortal Combat XIV (she likes it because it takes her mind off of things). After an hour or two, she finally 'died' and went to enter her name on the high score list. Vegeta's name was on the top (remember he and Goku and Yamcha and Piccolo all played it on their first day to the WH.) Bulma felt a pang in her heart but she ignored it. She turned the game off and went to her office. She sat down at her desk and sighed, twirling a pencil between her index and middle fingers. She dropped the pencil as she suddenly came up with a very, very, very good idea. She smiled for the first time in days as she picked up the phone and scheduled a press conference.
********
Chichi kept asking the two Saiyans question after question about the president until Goku sighed heavily, "Chichi, could you shut up?" she shut up but she gave Goku a look that said, "you-better-grab-a-blanket, -'cause-you're-sleeping-on-the-couch-tonight-mister. Goku sighed again as Chichi left the room.
"Vegeta…I saw the news. That reporter actually made you out to be a hero. The paper too... well, actually the paper suggested that you two were engaged."
Vegeta scowled at Goku; "I don't care anymore."
"Bulma's out of the hospital." Goku said cheerfully.
"What do I care?" Vegeta said nastily.
Goku frowned at Vegeta, getting upset. "She seemed pleased to have you gone."
Vegeta clenched his fists unconsciously. "I'm glad I left her then. I can't believe I was beginning to regret ending that d*mn link!"
Goku smiled at this reaction, "So you DO care."
"Maybe I DID, as in past tense."
"She didn't mean what she said you know. She was just mad that you left her."
"If she cares, she'll come find me."
"Whatever." Goku said, turning on the TV, disgusted at Vegeta's antics.
Voice of Carrie Elwes. "This just in. Bulma Briefs has resigned as President, for reasons unknown, and is now taking complete control over the Capsule Corporation she inherited from her father. In other news--"
Goku turned off the television. "I wonder what brought that on." He said sarcastically.
Vegeta frowned, "She never liked politics anyway."
Goku nodded, "Oh yeah. I forgot. I wonder which Capsule Corp. she's going to stay at."
"There's more than one?"
"Of course," Goku laughed, " There are CC's all over the planet. The three main ones are here, in the states, and the other is in Europe somewhere."
* D*mn. I hope that woman comes here to me. * Vegeta thought.
*******
SO WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT? TUNE IN TO THE NEXT CHAPTER OF PRESIDENT BRIEFS! =) IF YOU WANNA SNEAK PEEK AT CHAPTER TWELVE, LEAVE ME YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS IN YOUR REVIEW.
HERE'S A TIDBIT OF CHAPTER TWELVE:
"It's going to take a while for me to get used to that. Bulma Briefs was the best president this planet's ever seen." (Chichi)
"Really? I thought she was a silly, emotional, insecure, loser."
-Claire
(find out why she says this).