Author's Note: Hey, guys, sorry for the delay! Finals and term papers are bombarding me with so much work that I barely have the time to even think about this story! Well, here's chapter four on the way, I can't guarantee when the next chapters will be up, so please bear with me. Thanks for all the people who are supporting me with their wonderful reviews, thanks so much!
Falling
by A. Mikato
Part Four: Now and Here
Present Day...
He stood at the corner of her living room, watching the red and orange leaves fall slowly outside her window. It was nearing midnight now, the full light of the moon was shining brightly out in the night sky. Chi Chi and Goku had left some time ago, leaving Vegeta to watch over Bulma. She regained consciousness a few hours after the whole ordeal. Goku wanted to stay and make sure she was all right, but Chi Chi needed him more. It was only a matter of days before she'd be ready to give birth. Goku asked Vegeta to stay and take care of her, and reluctantly, the Prince of Saiyajins agreed.
She was sitting up on the couch, dressed now in her pajamas and wrapped in a warm blanket. She gazed out at the same window as Vegeta, her eyes glossed over as if waking up from a dream.
"How did you know where to find me?" She asked finally, a few moments after he had explained how he knew about the assassination attempt.
He turned his head to her. "I followed your energy signal."
She nodded. "Oh."
Vegeta looked at her. It had been quite a while since he saw her last. Truthfully, he had no idea how he still retained the memory of her energy signal. Usually after a few weeks or so pass, he forgets insignificant signals. But Bulma was no ordinary woman, and her strong will held a different signal than that of most humans he came in contact with.
He glanced over at the coffee table, where the tea Chi Chi had made Bulma remained in tact. "Why don't you have some of that tea," he said, trying to sound more nurturing than like he was giving an order. He didn't quite know how to handle himself around women.
Bulma looked up at him and smiled weakly. "It's all right. I'm fine." She wrapped the blanket tighter around her shoulders, letting a small sigh escape her lips. "Thank you, Vegeta."
"Hm? Oh, no, it was Chi Chi who made the tea for you."
Bulma shifted her weight on the couch and shook her head. "No, I mean, thank you for saving my life."
Vegeta nodded, unsure of what to say.
"I just can't believe it," Bulma said, crossing her legs under her. "Armstrong...out of all people..." She shook her head. "I guess you can't trust anybody anymore these days."
She looked over at Vegeta, who was standing silently across the room. She smiled. "You don't have to stand there, you can sit down." Strangely, she found him more attractive that night, standing in front of the window like that, the light reflecting off his skin. She always found him attractive, though. His level of arrogance was intolerable to most people, but for her, it was something she found herself compelled to whenever she was around him. It was unfortunate that their relationship was none more than mere acquaintances.
He shifted his weight, and nodded. He felt so insecure! He had never thought of what to do in situations like this, he never thought of how to act. Battle was so much a part of his life that he had never been exposed to normal, everyday happenings like having a conversation.
He walked over to the couch, and Bulma made room for him to sit. He did so, rather awkwardly, which caused Bulma to smile. I bet he doesn't really interact with us humans too much, she thought, studying him with her eyes. She wondered if he could feel her gaze on him, like he could feel her energy. She was staring at him rather intensely.
"So, how have you been, Vegeta?"
He turned his head to her and looked down, somewhat afraid of her eyes. He wasn't actually afraid of her eyes themselves, he was more afraid of being outwardly obvious of how much he'd be looking into them. It was no question Bulma was a beautiful woman, and he didn't want to give himself away. Feelings are for humans, he always said.
"I have been well," he said, rather sternly. "And you?"
"I've been okay, too."
"I...uh...how is Yamcha?"
She looked at him, surprised he would even ask. It was a sweet attempt at conversation, but bitter in a sense. "Well, he's fine. What was the last you heard about me and him?"
"That you two were to be married."
"Well, it seems you haven't been updated." She looked at him. "I left him some time ago."
Vegeta tipped his head slightly to the side, somewhat surprised. "I'm sorry to hear that."
"Don't be. It's better this way."
He took a deep breath and looked outside, where the wind was blowing harder, taking more leaves off the trees with it. "Perhaps I should leave now. You should get some rest. The authorities have apprehended Armstrong and everyone else they believed was part of the attempt, so you should be safe." He stood up, and started for the door. "But just in case you feel you need something," he said, turning to her. Once he did, he knew it was a mistake, because instantly the sight of her erased his thoughts, and he was left speechless in her presence- her aura was enough to stop an entire army.
Bulma sensed his hesitance, and grinned, somewhat touched. "Thanks, Vegeta. But don't worry about me, I'm a big girl." He nodded and turned around, heading for the door.
"Wait," she said, suddenly, rising from the couch. He turned to her, and waited.
"Maybe we can see each other again...you know...without any monsters or guns or explosions..." She said, smiling.
He smiled- which surprised Vegeta as much as it did her. "Perhaps."
She nodded and winked. "Good night, Vegeta."
"Good night." He walked out of her apartment and close the door behind him.
She threw herself back down onto the couch, her cheeks flushed and her breath short. She looked outside her window, watching what looked like a shooting star fly up into the night...