Chapter 9 "The Night Before"

He slept peacefully that night. His thoughts weren't on Dr. Gero, or the 'Ultimate Fighters' or anything. He had such a revelation that day and he was exhausted from it. She made him happy and that was all that mattered to him as he drifted into a silent slumber.

Down the hall from the peaceful prince lay a troubled princess. Yamcha had hurt her... badly. He had reopened an old wound. Like plunging a knife into a scar. Would he ever stop? Maybe he only came back to maximize her pain. She hated him now, but hated to see her old love thrown away, or throwing her away. Seeing that blonde felt like someone had stabbed her in the heart and laughed. But for some reason, all the pain Yamcha had inflicted had melted away upon kissing Vegeta....

After her accident she woke and talked with Vegeta. When she slept again, she had a disturbing dream. Someone was calling her from the empty nothingness where she stood. Something warm and familiar. . . it was getting fuzzy. She rubbed her tembles trying to remember.

She was standing in the black nothingness, knowing she was being called, but was unable to hear the voice. She felt someone holding her, but couldn't turn to see who it was. A warmth and comfort enveloped her, surrounding every inch of her body and she was dancing through a wide open meadow. A sharp pain interrupted her peace and suddenly she was falling. She fell past people with blurred faces and reached to them for help. She was caught by the same thing that had held her. She looked around and saw she was being carried over the ocean in someone's arms. She tried to see who it was and. . .

Another sharp pain had woken her up. Vegeta's eyes, seemingly softer, gazed back. She'd seen something different in him then. Something inexplainable. It was only for a split second but it was there. It wasn't who Vegeta normally was. He wouldn't normally wait by anyone to take care of them. But why had he? Why had he done anything at all for her? Why had she helped him in the first place? Why did she even care if the person who was formerly trying to take over the world had a place to stay after dying then returning from Namek? She sat up straight and said "piccolo" to turn on her lamp.

Her king sized bed felt empty after she'd cleaned everything off. Vegeta wanted to rule the world and she... she wanted someone to curl up with, to fill her thoughts, someone who could be happy with her alone. The small sliver of a moon cast little light through the open balcony doors onto her soft white carpet. Her room was too large for her and her belongings alone. She thought long and hard before throwing back the covers and stepping into her fuzzy slippers.

"Carpe diem, Bulma." she sighed. She scuffled down the hall in the direction of Vegeta's room. A few feet before the door she hesitated. *I don't have to do this. It's stupid! What's he gonna think? What if he takes it the wrong way? What if he thinks I'm suggesting something... Well, like my fortune cookie said, I'm not gonna know until it happens... * She turned the doorknob slowly, and every slight creak made her freeze. The last thing she wanted was for him to wake up. After successfully opening the door enough for her entrance, she slid out of her slippers and tiptoed barefoot toward his bed. It was a double, thank goodness. Otherwise she'd have a little.... trouble.

She stopped again, this time a few feet from his bedside. *Bulma you're insane. He's such a creep! He was a sweety today, defending me like that. Maybe he just wanted to get at Yamcha. But why then and there?* She slowly lifted the covers, but remained motionless when he rolled to face her, eyes still closed. When he became still again, she slid all the way under the covers and rolled to face him. His face was so much softer than his usual hard cut feautures. Almost... angelic. She moved closer to him and closed her eyes. She smiled to herself, thinking she wouldn't mind doing this every night. As she lay there about to fall asleep, Vegeta began to mumble.

"Boo... booo...," she giggled as he grunted more and his eyebrows furrowed, " ...bu-bulm....Bulma...," Her eyes shot open. *Did he just...No, he couldn't have. But he did!* He swung his arm around her and pulled her towards him until her face met his neck. The corner of his mouth began to twitch as they slept the night in each others' arms.

He awoke before she did and his eyes adjusted and his brain registered. He rolled over and knocked right into a soft warm thing. He looked over and there was Bulma laying angelically next to him. He jumped up out of bed and floated a feet feet above Bulma. What the hell is she doing here?? Did I forget inviting her in?? It suddenly felt colder than normal. He looked down, realizing with a shock that all he wore were boxers. Not wanting Bulma to awake to his plaid Tommy Hilfiger, he flew to the closet and changed to his typical blue spandex suit and armor.

Not having the extra warmth of Vegeta, Bulma awoke, extremely groggy. She sat up and looked around, not exactly sure of where she was. She opened her eyes about the same time he squeezed the armor on. Upon noticing Vegeta, she blushed deeply at seeing his confused look. Her eyes popped open and she jumped out of bed with the blanket to cover her ever-revealing pink nightie. She dashed out the door and into her room with Vegeta's gaze follwing her the entire way. He simply shrugged and smirked before floating downstairs for breakfast.