Ch. 35

Bulma sat in bed, ignoring how late it was, and read her book by the yellow, warm glow of her bedside lamp. The pages rustled softly as she turned them, the only noise in the serene summer night, but she was having trouble concentrating. She couldn't get Radditz's attitude out of her mind. He was so nice and had helped her so much, then the second she found someone who can help her more she drops him like a hot potato. He had every right to be upset. She realized she felt sorry for him, really she did, but she just couldn't figure out how to feel about him. He was handsome and shapely and oddly sweet in that brusque, Saiyan way of his, and yet...she finally gave up and shut the book. She really should just go to bed because she knew she'd need the energy tomorrow. A small smile wound across her face. So much more had been accomplished in one day than in several months work with Radditz. The smile on her face fell as she realized it was because of Vegeta. He was so unpleasant and snotty, yet he really seemed to know what he was talking about, and this, of course, aggravated her no end. Of all the people in the universe to work with and she gets stuck with Lord Sarcastic Bastard. All he had done all day, besides belittle her for not knowing what he said were the basics of the machine, was fight with her about each and every little thing she did. Then she remembered his mischievous smile as he hefted the grease ball at her and a little smile of her own blossomed. His smile had lasted only for a second and then was gone, his eyes a little bitter and filled with death once again. It drove her crazy, this obsession with death of his, and yet there wasn't anything she could do about him. Damn him thirty times to hell! She smacked her book down on the beside table angrily and clicked off the lamp with a violent flick of her wrist, twisting and turning as her body twitched with anger at Vegeta. All his knowledge was highly suspect anyway- how come he knew everything now and yet didn't know anything before? Unless, of course, he had known from the outset and wanted to torture her, which she certainly wouldn't put past him. He seemed more than capable of doing something like that. I am not going to think about that jerk until I absolutely have to, she snarled at herself, rolling over abruptly and scowling into the pillows. After a while her anger began to fade as she sank deeper into slumber, and she was almost completely asleep when she heard several thuds and a wet smack that had a frightening finality about it. Seconds later the commotion of security bots came from outside and she threw aside the sheets, dashing to the window and looking out.

The robots all had their backs to the main house and were shooting electric beams at something further away in the yard, something immobile. Was there some sort of malfunction? She peered harder as she pulled a robe up over her shoulders and gasped as she finally realized what it was- Vegeta's body crumpled on the ground. With a hard swallow she dashed into the hallway and raced down the corridor, opening the door to Zarbon's room wildly. Zarbon sat straight up in bed, long green hair unbound and his golden eyes glittering with confusion. What? What is it? he said, voice a little unsteady with sleep.

Vegeta's in the backyard and he's not moving! she managed to blurt, pointing a shaky finger out in the direction she thought the body lay.

Zarbon's golden eyes flashed in the dim light coming from the hallway. he roared, lifting straight up out of his bed. He began to go for the door, then thought better of it and went to the window, throwing it open.

Where are you going? she cried, running over to him.

Faster this way, he said, catching her as she jumped into his arms. Holding her, he leapt from the window and zoomed over the top of the house, landing in the backyard. Bulma let go before he hit the ground and dashed over to Vegeta, the robots immediately recognizing her and ceasing their fire, instead whirring over to make a strange, clinking circle around them. Zarbon knelt on the other side of the fallen Saiyan, face ashen.

she shouted, sliding her arm under his neck and pressing his head to her chest. Vegeta, wake up! His face was bloody and what little clothes he was wearing were torn, nearly every square inch of his exposed skin looking slightly blackened with scrapes and burns.

Zarbon scowled and reached over, pulling up Vegeta's eyelids. His dark eyes were rolled back in his head, but he was breathing shallowly. He's just unconscious and if that's all that's wrong with him he'll be okay. Saiyans never die of lingering wounds. They're either killed immediately in the battle or not at all, he reassured himself.

That's if the shocks the robots gave him didn't scramble his brains, she murmured, looking up at the robots and scanning for the lead machine. Go away, she told it. No intruder. The machines clicked and whirred to one another as the command was transferred, then rolled away to the hanger in which they were housed. Looking back down at Vegeta she touched the side of his face lightly. How could this happen, Zarbon? I thought Vegeta was the strongest, I though he had grown into his power. I mean, he can grow a beard, and Radditz said when elites can grow beards it means they've found the bulk of their power, and if he has found the greater part of his power how could he be beaten? she rambled.

Zarbon looked at her levelly. Shut up, he said coldly.

Bulma's face reddened. she said shrilly, her surprise almost instantly turning to anger. How dare you to tell me to shut up!

You're panicking, he said. Be quiet and get a grip on yourself.

But he's hurt! How can you just sit there and be so calm? Don't you care about him? I thought you two were friends? she shouted. You should be taking care of him!

The figure in her lap shifted. No one takes care of the Prince of the Saiyans, Vegeta growled weakly.

she cried, curling herself around his head. How did this happen?

I'm fine, he said, tearing his gaze away from those blue eyes. It had been a shock to wake up and feel her warm limbs around him, smell that ripeness, and it was even worse when he opened his eyes and saw that blue gaze on him, just like he had so long ago, there in Arlia's dungeon. That damn Namekian worked me over.

she said. But you're supposed to be stronger than he is.

He is, Zarbon interjected. Strength isn't everything.

Vegeta sighed and wrestled his way out of her lap. You presume much, to touch me, he spat at her.

Her face reddened. Shut up. If I hadn't seen you you might be lying here dead, she shot back, then saw that death-shadow immediately flicker across his eyes.

You shut up, woman, he snarled, sitting up.

How did this happen, Vegeta? Zarbon interrupted before the other two launched into an all-out verbal battle.

Vegeta turned his head to look at his aide. He challenged me, I accepted. We fought hand-to-hand and he managed to tweak a nerve in my neck. I fell to the ground for a moment and he proceeded to blast the shit out of me. I got up but I had drained a lot of energy trying to deflect his blasts. Then I blasted him a few, he murmured with a smile. At any rate, I gave more than I got. He finally quit moving, but when I moved to finish him off he hit me with this corkscrew beam that damn near finished me. He passed out from the effort and I was so weakened by that time that I decided just to come home.

Well, I'm glad you're okay. We'll have to work on your ki shield technique, Zarbon muttered.

Don't you die on me, Bulma interjected. We have lots of work to do.

Oh, shut up, Vegeta snarled, letting Zarbon help him up. It's all your fault I was tired going into the battle in the first place.

she cried, standing and putting her hands on her hips. How could it possibly be my fault?

You bored me all day and dulled my senses. I was fatigued by your garbage before I even started fighting.

How dare you! she shouted.

Are you deaf, woman? he shouted back. I said shut up, you harpy!

Bulma screamed in rage and backhanded Vegeta as hard as she could. Zarbon could feel the force of the strike as Vegeta's body shuddered in his grasp. Vegeta just turned his head back to look at her, a smirk on his bloody face. he snarled.

Let's go, Zarbon, he ordered.

Zarbon nodded. he agreed, and began to escort Vegeta into the house, not noticing the way the Prince's tail lashed in the air behind them.

Vegeta only had to spend a few hours in the tank and his eyes immediately opened when the tank began to drain. Blinking his eyes against the moisture he gazed through the blue glass, scowling at what he saw there as the door to the tank opened. The woman was there in a chair beside the tank, head tilted to the side and asleep, her pale, slender arms folded gracefully in her lap as her chest rose and fell in the easy motions of deep slumber. She must have fallen asleep while watching him. She wouldn't leave, a smooth voice said beside him, and Vegeta turned his head to see Zarbon, who handed him one of those Earthling drying cloths that they called towels.

Stupid woman, Vegeta snarled.

I'm staying out of it, Zarbon said simply. Listen, what happened earlier to you never should have happened in the first place. You're too strong for that. You need to wrap up this technology rubbish and start training again.

Vegeta just handed him the towel and looked at him coldly. I know it shouldn't have, Zarbon. I'll get this tech business over with and then we'll train to your little bleeding heart's content.

Zarbon raised an eyebrow. Are you okay? he asked suddenly.

Vegeta scowled more deeply. What are you talking about?

Never mind, Zarbon said with a wave of his hand and turned to leave the room.

What crawled up your ass? he grumbled to her as she wandered into the room, absentmindedly tying on her work apron and turning her cap around backwards.

Shut up, she snarled back, kneeling next to him and fishing around in the tool box. You know, the least you could have said was thanks.

Vegeta looked at her with narrowed eyes, the black irises hard like granite. Thank you? For what? For all the shocks your flimsy robots fired at me?

She slammed the tool she was holding down on the floor. For finding you and making sure you were taken care of! she snapped, eyes flashing.

His mouth turned down at the corners. Rubbish. I would have come to soon anyway, and I certainly don't need a worthless beast like you trying to take care of me. I've done well enough taking care of myself.

Sure, that's why you ended up on my lawn last night, she jabbed.

You have no conception of what it's like to be on your own, he hissed. You didn't grow up with your whole race destroyed, being raised by the very being who had killed your family. You didn't have to put up with endless experiments, beatings, humiliations, at the hands of your worst enemy every single day of your life. I do NOT want to hear about how I should be taken care of.

Bulma stared at him, hand halfway to her chest as her mouth dropped open a little. Vegeta, I don't know what to say, I'm so...

Shut up, he barked. Spare me your stupid human pity. I need nothing from you, and least of all that.

Her eyebrows wrinkled a little in consternation and she reached out a gloved hand, trying to touch his shoulder, but he twisted violently away from the range of her grasp and scurried over to the opposite side of the pod. She couldn't see him from her position and sighed.

So how is it going? a voice called from the doorway.

Bulma stood, beaming. Here was something to brighten her day. she said with relief. How wonderful it is to see you!

His stern face cracked a little in a tiny smile. he said softly. So what are you up to today?

Bulma took him by the wrist and led him inside. Well, as you can see, we're mostly through the drive mechanism. All the computer knowledge you have given to us has really come in handy, she said, still beaming up at him.

Do you need my help once again? he asked gently.

Bulma opened her mouth but never got to finish since Vegeta immediately said No. Go away.

Radditz stiffened. My lord?

Vegeta's head appeared from behind the pod. You heard me, he said angrily. Get out of here.

Bulma looked back and forth between the two men, both of them bristling and angry, with their tails puffed out and lashing back and forth behind them. Now, come on, guys, she said gently, trying to ease the tension. Can't we all just work together?

Vegeta turned on her first. Absolutely not, he bellowed. I will not tolerate that useless third-class scum interfering with my project!

Bulma felt hot blood rise to her cheeks. Excuse me, she snapped. YOUR project? WHO has been working on this damn thing for the past few months?

Shut up, woman, Vegeta growled. You weren't getting anywhere until I showed up.

Oh, get off of your self, you stuck-up son of a bitch! she shouted. We were doing just fine until your arrogant ass showed up!

Then how come you're working with me instead of him? Vegeta asked angrily.

Because you just barged in here, taking over everything, even though you're not as smart as I am, and you just bully everyone and why can't you just be kind for once in your hollow little life? Bulma said, suddenly breaking down and starting to cry. I'm sorry, I'm just tired, she choked, covering her eyes with her hands.

Vegeta stared at her helplessly, shocked at her reaction and completely clueless about what to do next. Radditz moved over to her side and put his large hands on her shoulders, carefully guiding her to the side and standing in front of her. She wailed louder and threw herself against his chest, beginning to sob in earnest. Radditz leaned over and began to make soft, comforting noises into her ear, reaching up and stroking her hair as he had seen her father and Yamcha do. Oh, for the gods' sake, Vegeta grumbled. Only weaklings carry on like that.

Bulma cried harder against Radditz's chest and the big Saiyan's eyes flashed angrily. he hissed at Vegeta. You just shut up. Look what you've done to her.

Vegeta protested shrilly. Look at you, you're the one coddling her like a baby. She's a grown woman, Radditz. She's fully capable of taking care of herself.

That doesn't give you any right to hurt her all the time. She's been working like a dog on this project and has made astounding headway. You don't have the right to come in here and just start tearing her apart like this! Radditz snarled furiously.

She's exhausted right now because she made the choice to work that hard, Vegeta argued heatedly. If she didn't want to work she wouldn't, you know how stubborn she is.

That doesn't mean that you can come in here and be such a stupid bastard! Radditz shouted.

Vegeta's eyes narrowed and his shoulders tightened visibly. he said, voice suddenly low. Say that again.

Radditz paled significantly, eyes widening a little, but jutted his chin out defiantly, clutching Bulma to him tightly. I said that doesn't mean you can be such a stupid bastard and treat her like dirt, Radditz intoned.

Vegeta lost control and sent a ki blast hurtling across the room, Radditz throwing himself and Bulma out of the way as the ki ball smashed into the wall and caused a minor explosion.

Never forget your place, soldier, Vegeta shouted, coming over.

Radditz curled around Bulma protectively, but she had stopped crying and pushed her way out of his grasp angrily, standing up and striding over to Vegeta. His eyes widened in surprise and she pulled back her arm, striking him as hard as she could across the face. You stupid asshole, she hissed. You could have wrecked all my hard work with that blast.

Radditz said softly, standing.

She turned on him. And you finally showed some proof that you might have a spine after all, she hissed. But I will NOT have you two fighting in here like spoiled little boys! This is a lab, not a training ground, and if you can't behave yourselves I want you out of here now.

But, Bulma, Radditz protested.

I said OUT! Both of you! she screamed, pointing at the door.

Now listen here, woman, Vegeta said angrily.

Bulma backhanded him across the face. You, shut up, she snarled. I've had all I can stand of you today.

Vegeta narrowed his eyes at her, knowing that he shouldn't let anyone abuse him like that in front of an underling. Radditz had seen him show too much throat today already. There was, however, nothing he could do short of killing her and he knew that was antithetical to his long-term plans. Fine, suit yourself, he growled. See how well you can get along without me.

Just fine, she replied with an angry grin. Now get out.

Radditz tried again.

she said sharply. You too. Out.

Radditz set his mouth into a firm line and followed Vegeta out the door, which promptly slammed shut behind him. He sighed and leaned against the wall on one side of the door and looked over, seeing Vegeta had done the same. What could the Prince possibly be waiting for, standing like that with his chin tucked against his chest, his arms folded across his chest, and one foot propped up against the wall behind him? Radditz sighed again and leaned his head against the wall, examining the ceiling.

Woah, what's going on with you two? a deep voice sounded from down the hallway. Radditz looked over and saw Yamcha and Zarbon coming down the hall, the Earthling dressed in a white tank top and orange shorts, his hair pulled back and his thong sandals flopping against the tile as he carried several towels and a couple folding chairs. Zarbon was shirtless, his hair unbound and falling down his back in green, silky waves down to the white waistband of his wine-colored shorts, which had a white tropical flower pattern on them and a few laces just below the navel. He also had a towel draped over a shoulder. Hey, I asked you a question, Zarbon repeated, a green eyebrow raising slightly in the air. Vegeta just grunted and turned his head to the side. Zarbon's pale eyes turned to Radditz, the question still there.

Bulma kicked us out of her lab, he said guiltily.

How come? Yamcha chimed in, blinking at the Saiyans.

Radditz shot a dirty look at Vegeta. Vegeta was being mean and made her cry, and then he and I got into an argument. He shot a ki ball at me and pissed Bulma off, and now we're out here.

You made Bulma cry? Yamcha ask, the edges of his voice stained with anger.

Zarbon shot him a warning look. So I guess this means neither of you is in a mood to go to the beach?

Vegeta said sharply.

Zarbon raised his hands, a feigned look of worry on his face. Geez, okay, he murmured. How about you, Radditz?

Radditz looked at him suspiciously, still not entirely trusting him although grudgingly starting to think he was okay.

Do you want to go to the beach? Zarbon asked. There's lots of pretty girls there, make you forget about Bulma, he said, voice sing-songing.

Radditz reddened and Vegeta's head snapped over to stare at him. Uh, no, thanks. I think I'll go over to my brother's, he mumbled. You guys have fun, though.

Zarbon shrugged and looked over at Yamcha. Okay, suit yourselves, but we're going to have a great time. It's a gorgeous day! he said with a shake of his head.

Shall we go pick up the food? The car should already be out of the hangar, Yamcha said.

Zarbon smiled. Absolutely. See you two later, he said with a wave, and he moved off down the hall with Yamcha.

Radditz just shot a final, angry look at Vegeta and left himself. Vegeta made an irritated noise in his throat and went down the hall in the opposite direction. He wondered vaguely how he was going to spend his day, but then decided not to worry about it. Something would come along.

He found that something as he walked around one of the labs in the auxiliary buildings around the compound. He was strolling past the yellow, domed building when he heard a loud pop' and shouting coming from inside. Curious, he pushed open the door to see Dr. Briefs and a bunch of technicians jumping up and down, hovering over a pile of smoking something. He walked up behind the old man and peered over his shoulder, staring at the pile of ash. What's going on? he asked.

The old man nearly jumped out of his skin, whirling around quickly. Oh, Vegeta, my boy, I didn't know you were standing there, he said, taking off his glasses and wiping them on the inside of his lab coat. We were just doing some stress tests on some of the armor you gave me. That stuff is absolutely amazing. We've got some people trying to copy its molecular structure right now so we can use the material for other things.

was all Vegeta had to say on the matter.

Dr. Briefs blinked for a moment at the younger man. Well, do you want to know what we're working on right this minute?

Vegeta cocked his head slightly, crossing his arms over his chest. I suppose, he said nonchalantly.

Well, right now we've attached a gravity-creating device directly to the armor. That last piece we took up the gravity too quickly and the thing just burst into flame. The device, I mean, and the pressure caused the whole piece to just kind of explode. Now we're trying to take it up more slowly, the older man explained.

Vegeta's scowl deepened. What? You're capable of increasing the gravity?

Dr. Briefs laughed. Yep! If we could make the chest plate heavier it'd help out in your training, wouldn't it? Bulma says Goku always wears weighted clothes when he trains.

Weighted clothes! Of course! Vegeta felt a small smile creep across his face. So right now you've got a little device that generates higher gravity strapped right to the armor, he said.

Dr. Briefs nodded. Yes, that's right, he replied, adjusting his glasses.

Do you think you could make an entire room like that?

How so? the scientist asked with his head tilted, watching his employees frantically clean up the mess and try to salvage parts of the gravity-maker.

Do you think that you could build a room where the gravity increased? Vegeta repeated.

Oh, you mean so you could weight your whole body at once instead of just wearing a restrictive suit, Dr. Briefs proclaimed, a strange light in his eyes.

Vegeta smiled, a cold, narrow affair, and nodded his head. How high do you think you could make it go?

Dr. Briefs frowned for a moment, pressing his forefinger to his moustached upper lip as he thought. Hmmm, I'm not sure. This little puppy that we've been strapping to the pieces of armor only does about 25Gs.

Do you suppose you could go up to, say, four hundred? Vegeta asked, starting to feel like he had something to look forward to.

Well, probably, with enough time. We can probably do a hundred for sure, he said, scratching his whiskery cheek. Do you want to stay and watch the experiments? Dr. Briefs added suddenly. Next we're going to try and see just how far it stretches.

Very well, Vegeta replied, uncrossing his arms and planting his hands on his hips. I have nothing else to do today.


So Gohan comes into our room pretty late and wakes up ChiChi, Goku said, watching as the little boy bounded across the floor to settle in his uncle's lap. She gets worried and wakes me up without even finding out what's wrong, because Gohan usually just sits and screams for her from his bed if he has a nightmare or something. Well, she has to kick me pretty hard to wake me up, especially on nights like last night when she tires me out before we go to sleep, he said with a wink at his wife, who happened to be passing through the room on her way to the kitchen.

she admonished with a blush, although she smiled. That's hardly appropriate.

He grinned back. Sorry, ChiChi, he said, scratching the back of his head. Anyway, Gohan's all sorts of freaked out, his eyes all big and he kinda is whimpering, but I finally get it out of him: Piccolo's in trouble.

Radditz replied absently, not really listening to his brother and playing instead with Gohan, tickling the little boys sides and watching as the child twisted every which way to try and avoid his uncle's hands with a giggle.

So I jump out of bed, pull on some clothes, and run to the window. Gohan kinda latches himself onto my back, and ChiChi's yelling at me not to take the baby, but I say Gohan's not a baby and she lets me go. She can't get out of bed and stop me anyway cause she doesn't have on any clothes.

Radditz murmured. He liked Goku okay but really hated his long, boring stories. Oh well, he was a good sparring partner, ChiChi was a fine cook, and Gohan was always fun, so he supposed he could put up with a stupid story from his stupid brother once in a while.

Well, I fly out the window and look for Piccolo's ki, and there it is, all sorta crumpled, out in the field quite a ways from our house. Gohan and I go there and Piccolo's stretched out on the ground, bleeding lots, but laughs when he sees Gohan. I see you figured it out,' he says to Gohan, and I ask him what happened. Oh, man, you're not gonna believe this! Goku cried, starting to laugh.

Radditz scowled and stared at his brother. Well you won't know unless you just get on with it and tell me the damn story! Radditz growled impatiently.

Damn story! Gohan crowed.

Goku's eyes widened in shock and he leaned forward, putting his finger to his lips. Shhh, ChiChi'll kill us if she hears that kinda language! he hissed. And Gohan, you shouldn't ever, ever say those kinds of words!

Gohan hung his shaggy head. Sorry, Daddy, he mumbled.

Say you're sorry to Uncle Radditz, Goku ordered gently.

Gohan looked up from under his bangs at the big Saiyan. Sorry, Uncle Radditz, he said sweetly.

Radditz smiled in spite of himself and tousled the boy's hair. It's okay, Gohan, he mumbled. So you found Piccolo, Radditz prompted, suddenly curious. Piccolo was a very, very strong fighter and he found himself suddenly intrigued as to why a fighter of that caliber would be lying in a field wounded.

Oh, yeah! Goku said, apparently remembering that he had been telling a story. He says he found Vegeta flying around and wanted to see how strong he really was, so he shot at him.

Piccolo shot at the Prince? Radditz exclaimed, shocked. Is he insane? Doesn't he know how strong Vegeta is?

Goku sighed. That's why he wanted to fight him, to see how strong he was. Anyway, Goku said, exasperated look on his face,Vegeta beat the crap out of him, but Piccolo got in a few good shots by using pressure points. Doesn't matter how strong you are if someone whacks your nerves, he chortled.

Radditz said, disbelieving.

Anyhow, Piccolo thought that Vegeta's not too much stronger than me. He was definitely stronger than Piccolo, but Piccolo thought he wasn't too far behind himself. Isn't that just crazy? Vegeta's not as hot as he thinks he is.

Radditz sat back on the couch, leaning against the cushions and thinking. he said distractedly.

Anyway, Gohan stayed with him there while I went and got Senzu beans. Piccolo's fine now. In fact, he wants to train Gohan today. ChiChi's packing a lunch for Gohan right now, Goku finished.

So, do you think you could? Radditz said suddenly.

Goku glanced at him, confused. Could what?

Could beat him?


Radditz sighed. Goku's childhood head trauma must have killed off most of his brain cells. Radditz grated.

Goku replied and sat there, considering. Maybe someday, he said after a while. Vegeta's still too strong right now.

How strong do you think I could get? Radditz asked urgently.

I don't know, Goku admitted. You're a full Saiyan like me, and didn't you say our dad was abnormally strong for his class?

Yes, Bardock was very strong for a third-class soldier, and you're abnormally strong for a third-class soldier.

Well, if I'm so strong you could probably come close at the very least, but we'll have to train extra hard and almost all the time.

I'm willing, are you? Radditz challenged.

Goku never turned down a challenge. Sure! When do you want to start?

Gohan! Come get your lunch! ChiChi called from the kitchen. The little boy slid from Radditz's lap and ran to the kitchen.

Goku chuckled at his son, then cut his laughter short, his eyes going sort of unfocused. Piccolo's here, he said, standing. I'm gonna go talk to him. He took a step and his stomach gurgled. How about we start after lunch? he asked plaintively.

Radditz smiled. he agreed.

Goku replied, taking a few more steps toward the door. Gohan! Piccolo's here to pick you up!

Gohan shouted and came tearing into the room, past his father, and out the door.

ChiChi appeared from the kitchen. Now, you tell him to have Gohan back by suppertime, do you hear? she ordered Goku. Gohan has studying to do.

Sure thing, dear! Goku replied, holding open the door and gesturing for Piccolo to hold on a second. Hey, do you wanna talk to Piccolo about the Vegeta thing? he asked his brother.

Radditz rose from his seat. he said, and followed his brother outside.