I hope I didn't scare anyone too badly with my empty threats last chapter, I was just, um, psychotic is the only word that comes to mind. Maniacal is another… Poor Rae had a couple heart attacks. BTW, Go read her review last chapter, it's funny as hell!

I'm not in a particularly hyper, psycho, anything mood now, so count yourselves lucky. Unless incoherent is one of those sorts of moods…

MistressAlexa: Um, thanks for the idea, but I'm afraid it's too late to take your advice though. Confusing as my method may be, it would only confuse people more to change it now. If I ever write another fic with this same problem, I really ought to put a little more effort into making myself clear! But, thanks for the advice! ^.^

Disclaimer: Um, um, I can't think of anything to type here. Don't own DBZ. Yeah, that's a shocker. I do own the entire Dragon Ball/Z manga set. It makes me happy ^__^

(~*~)

Vegeta nuzzled Bulma's cheek and she sighed contentedly, her small hand stroking his temple. He delighted in the feel of her, all over him, even in his mind. He could sense her every emotion, thought, even physically felt what she felt, though to a slightly lesser degree. Ever since their bonding it had been all too easy to figure out how she enjoyed being touched or spoken to. Although she didn't know enough about telepathy to control how much he felt or heard, he didn't care. He had full access to every part of her this way.

She was obviously happy at the moment, and it caused her mind to drift towards her hopes for the future, her hopes of changing this present. He smirked as she continued with the thought process, how she wanted to hide her plans to protect him. However, his early warning system failed to alert him when she leaned forward to catch his mouth in another kiss, what had to be the hundredth time that evening.

He focused on what was going through her mind, and found only swirling thoughts about that 'accursed sexy smirk' of his. Mentally smirking now, he rolled on top of her, moving his mouth to kiss her ear.

"Shall we?" He purred, receiving a nod of ready approval. He growled in return.

Perhaps they could get in some extra time. Surely that witch Baba would be too modest to summon his mate when she was busy. Of course, if she was the sister of that old pervert…

(~*~) AN:I couldn't really focus on one person's POV for this part, so let's just say I'm writing it in omnipresent third person. Yeah.

"What's taking them so long?" Pan wondered, referring to Bra and her uncle, who had left for 'Vegeta Island' over an hour ago. Obviously, the island had earned it's name from it's main occupant, but those who knew it's name(the Z senshi to be specific) had learned not to speak the forbidden title in front of Vegeta himself, on pain of death. Or at least a good maiming.

trunks, who was busy trying to shift the dead weight of his counterpart, shrugged, trying not to let his mind wander. After all, what could a bonded-but-never-mated couple possibly be doing alone together on a tropical island? He sighed in exasperation when Trunks continued to snore loudly. Resisting the urge to kick the younger man, he joined Pan at the window. He had a hard time focusing on the outside world though, with her sweet scent filling his nostrils, making him lightheaded.

He closed his eyes against the rush of feeling sent up his arm when she took his hand into hers. What was wrong with him? He'd barely even known this girl twelve hours, been aware of her existence for only about twenty-four. How could she be affecting him this deeply? And what kind of relationship did they even have? They certainly weren't just acquaintances. Friends, then? Of course, he could always just ask…

"Pan-san, would you say we're friends? Just out of curiosity." She seemed intrigued by his question, and just a little suspicious.

"I think so," she answered quietly, and he nodded in agreement.

"Aside from the people in your timeline, I've only ever had one real friend," she gave him a questioning look, willing him to continue. He smirked. "Gohan." He stated simply. She squeezed his hand tighter.

"Why didn't you have any other friends?" She questioned further.

"I never really went to school, and it wasn't like I could just go outside and play. Too dangerous. And I don't know about here, but our families never really socialized with 'normal people'."

"How do you define a normal person?"

"Someone who can't fly, or shoot energy blasts from their hands, or turn their hair instantly gold, with turquoise eyes. Oh, and they can't be the least bit alien. I don't know how they define 'normal' amongst themselves, but if they can't do any of the above, they're normal in my opinion."

She laughed, causing him to smirk again, which only made her blush. He looked so hot when he looked at her that way. It made him look like his father. She decided to change the subject back, still curious about what her alternate father had been like.

"Would you tell me what my dad was like? In your time I mean." He grew solemn, a thoughtful look on his face.

"I guess he was a lot like Goku. He even took to wearing the same outfit. He was so worried about everyone else's safety, that he took stupid risks. Brave, but still stupid. He gave me the last senzu after one fight, and he lost his arm because of it. He kept training me after that, but they attacked again, and he went off alone. I mentioned him taking stupid risks, right? Well, that was the last one he took. And although he made choices that I disagreed with, I know they were right. I would like to think I would have chosen the same path, had it been me." He looked like he wanted to say more, but it was obviously a touchy subject, and he simply stared out the window dejectedly. She had only ever seen more pain in Vegeta's eyes, the day Bra took control of CC, and he saw her tinkering in the lab, grease-stained and loving it. His eyes had been so haunted, and yet proud, incredibly proud.

Pan could almost see the words 'HUG ME' written on his face, and visible or not, she followed the directions. Wrapping her arms around him, she leaned her head in his shoulder and stroked his back softly. He stiffened in surprise, before encircling her waist with well-muscled arms.

"Your turn now," he murmured. "What's your father like? Before yesterday, the last time I saw him was when he beat Cell." She looked amused suddenly, and he waited patiently for an explanation.

"Let's see…Not too long after that, my Uncle was born. Then my Touchan went to High School in the city, where he met my Kaasan. They fought crime together for awhile," her smile broadened as she fished in her pocket and brought out a wallet. She unveiled a picture of The Great Saiyaman, in one of his trademark, dorky poses. trunks snorted. "No one ever suspected him of being Saiyaman. He was the pale scrawny bookworm country bumpkin, not a superhero. He and the renowned Videl Satan kept the city safe, and he taught her how to fly, sense ki, the basics. She never knew how weird we were until the Tournament, and Buu, but that's a long story I don't really want to tell right now. Anyhow, Ojiisan got credit for Buu, just like Cell. But he's still a nice guy, and our families have gotten along well, despite our differences."

trunks now looked extremely confused.

"But Goku didn't get credit for Cell. That nincompoop Hercule did. Boy was he a piece of work." She flipped a few pages in her wallet, displaying a man with an afro(though his hairline was receding) and a beard. She giggled.

"Like I said, Ojiisan took credit. My Touchan married his daughter. My Obaasan died when my Kaasan was little. That might have something to do with why my mother took such good care of Bra when she was at our house. She knew what it was like to have only your father, and she treated Bra like another daughter. Anyhow, Touchan is a scholar now, and he is a college professor. Chi-chi Obaachan couldn't be happier with him, I think. Uncle Goten, on the other hand…" She shook her head in amusement, and realized that she was still clinging to trunks. She laid her head back on his chest, eyes closing voluntarily.

Trunks, still snoring, let out a loud snort before falling out of the chair with a loud thump. The demi-Saiyajin by the window disentangled themselves in a flash, if somewhat regretfully. Both turned to confront their sleepy companion, who was only now sitting up. He rubbed his eyes tiredly, tail curled into a question mark, and legs thrust out in front of him. He allowed his hands to fall into his lap, looking at them with wide, almost crossed blue eyes. trunks was eerily reminded of a much younger version of himself. Although that one had quite a bit more baby pudge, and no halo. Trunks blinked a few times, coherency slowly returning.

"Where'd everybody go?" He questioned from his postion on the floor. Vegeta burst into the room, cold fury reflected in his eyes. All three looked at him in astonishment, and some fear. He focused on no one currently in the room, only stared fixedly at the door.

Goten and Bra made their entrance, and Vegeta was across the room in the blink of an eye. He lifted Bra's chin to examine her neck, which sported a small, half-healed wound. His eyes narrowed and flashed teal for a moment, and he emitted a growl from deep in his throat.

(~*~) AN: Beji is seriously considering making this a really wicked cliffhanger…I think so…no! Yes…um, I guess not, this chapter would be way too short if I did. I'm sure I can still figure out a good cliffy for the end though…

Taking a deep breath to calm and clear his mind, Vegeta, still looking his daughter in the eye, shot his fist out, catching Goten right in the nose. He listened with satisfaction as the boy's body slammed through the wall and left a deep rut in the lawn. Bra winced and jerked back, her hand flying to her face in pain.

"Touchan!" She managed. "You of all people knew it was inevitable. We were already bonded, it was only a matter of time before the process was finished!"

"Relax girl, I just wanted one shot at him. I'm done now. I just wanted him to realize wh—"

"Who he would have to deal with if he ever even considered hurting me. We all know that! Would you ever have considered hurting kaasan like that? No! Because you love her, not just because she's your mate." She glared at him. He looked taken aback, never having thought of it that way. Unable to find any a good comeback, he remained silent while she rushed over to Goten, who was covering his bloodied nose with his hand. (AN: The way Videl looked when Spopovitch was kicking the crap out of her.)

Never having felt quite so stupid for overlooking the obvious, Vegeta made his way slowly back up the stairs. She was right, really, and he had never handled being proven wrong very well. But he couldn't handle being wrong and apologizing. While he had grown incredibly soft, at least when it came to Bra, that sacrifice was larger than he could stand making. Admitting his mistake, and actually making it known that he regretted it, just because someone had been offended.

He entered the master bedroom silently, shutting the door softly behind him. Bulma lay curled up on the bed, facing his side of the mattress, clutching a large wad of sheets to her small form.

No, there was no possibility of his hurting her intentionally. He had assumed too much. But what was done was done, and a mere three hours remained.

He proceeded to his side of the bed, his eyes never leaving his sleeping mate. Pulling the sheets out of Bulma's arms, which her subconcious mind had mistaken for her mate, he lay down beside her, pulling her close. She murmured sleepily and moved to rest on top of his warm chest, one hand stroking the hollow of his throat. Shuddering in spite of himself, Vegeta rubbed her back softly, breathing deeply of her scent. He prayed to whatever deity would listen, wishing beyond all things that he could keep her through the night.

***

I know I know, short chapter. Do tell: Would you prefer a long chapter, less frequently? Or perhaps a short chapter, more often. This is my survey this week, so let me know what you, the consumer, would prefer.

I have surpassed 40 reviews!!! Please please PLEASE please please!!!! REVIEW! For the love of my sanity…well, that's non-existent…for the love of this fic, review!! I will grovel, and beg and plead, because reviews really motivate me to write. Who knows? If' y'all review enough, maybe I'll give you a long AND more frequent chapter. The ball is in your court now…