Simply Irresistible
NCDavis
Chap. 5: Trouble in Paradise
Disclaimer: Dragon Ball Z and its characters are not mine, but belong to Akira Toriyama. This work of fiction is for entertainment purposes only.
Key:
Double colons (::): Thought
Plus signs (+): Computer's voice
Slashes (/): Italics
Asterisks (*): Bold/Underline
AN: She's baaack. The lag wasn't all my fault, with FF.net having server problems, but I have had to put my fanfic on the back burner. So I offer what would've been the first half of the final chapter as a chapter of its own as a bit of a fix. However, I have to re-submerge myself in deadlines and commitments at least till the middle of August, which means I doubt I'll get the next chapter up till late Aug. or Sept. What can I say? Life sucks sometimes.
It'll be interesting to see what y'all think of this one. I'll say upfront I've always felt these two exchange places in the maturity dept. Sometimes Bulma's in the lead; sometimes Vegeta. Well, usually Bulma's in the lead, but we all have our bad days. And when it comes to emotions, Vegeta often reacts as good -- or as bad -- as he thinks he's gotten. Besides, what's fanfic without a good dose of angst.
Hope this one eases the cravings.
AN UPDATE 8/5/02: Hiya. I've been reading the reviews, and I'm glad y'all like what you've read. If you haven't read it yet, skip this note and come back.
A lot of you have asked, "Doesn't she want the baby? I thought she was in love with Vegeta." I'm not going to go into long explanations here; Bulma will speak for herself in the next chapter. But knowing I have readers who are younguns, I feel I need to say this much. Call it an Auntie N moment. Bulma is in love with Vegeta. Being in love doesn't automatically mean being happy if you think you're pregnant, or find out you're pregnant. Being in a secure, loving, permanent relationship doesn't mean a woman will be happy to be pregnant. Sometimes, the feeling of unhappiness is resolved; sometimes it isn't. This is a simple fact of life. The whys, or why nots, are as distinct as the couple in the situation. I rate my stories R or NC-17 for sexual situations, but I also rate them these because I'm dealing with complex adult relationships. A lot of times, adults spend a good deal of time in relationships just being confused. :-)
****************
Warm breezes washed softly over Bulma's body, the sunshine adding to the lulling affect of the day. She lay on a blanket on a section of lawn tucked away from most of Capsule Corp.'s compound. Her body felt drowsy; unfortunately, her mind refused to follow suit.
It'd been a month since they'd made love. In her heart of hearts she'd never regret it, but she'd be lying to herself if she said she wasn't concerned. Funny. She never thought twice after that rutting episode. Maybe that was another difference between rutting and mating. The latter is what could get you pregnant.
The "P" word is what had kept her up more nights than she could count. She was late, but ironically enough that could be caused by the stress of wondering if she was pregnant or not. And by the stress of avoiding Vegeta. The first week had been easy. She hurt if he'd looked at her. She smiled. It'd been worth it. Still she begged a time-out just to recover and he'd agreed. Afterwards, he'd gotten back into his training regimen, though he'd been good about taking it easy on his injured leg, staying out of the gravity room till a few days ago. Well, he'd also been waiting for Dad to steam clean and re-upholster the room. He'd requested it. He hadn't told her why, though she would've sworn she'd heard him mumbling something about "damned scent" and "distraction."
Whatever the case, she'd never been so happy to see him disappear into the training room. No one knew what worries flew around her head. Her mom glanced at her from time to time. Somehow moms knew when something was up with their kids, but she had yet to come out and ask. Her dad didn't look for trouble and so didn't find it. But Vegeta would know something was bothering her, and he wouldn't stop asking until she told him. Frankly, she wasn't ready to talk. Exhaling a long breath, Bulma reminded herself she was supposed to be relaxing.
"Why the sigh, Woman."
Bulma's heart and stomach jumped, settling clumsily back into their right spots once she spotted him, in his usual shorts and tank, lying beside her in the grass. Speak of the devil.
"You almost gave me a heart attack sneaking up on me like that. Where did you come from anyway? I didn't hear a thing."
"Of course you didn't," he snorted, as if she'd been daft to suggest otherwise.
"Well excuse me, oh mighty warrior."
"Hunter."
"Huh?"
"Today, I am 'oh mighty hunter'."
Bulma stared at him. Was he trying to be . . . playful? "Just what are we hunting?"
His grin turned wolfish. "You."
In one fluid movement he lay atop her, his legs straddling her closed ones. She mentally cursed the ache that uncurled inside as his hips pressed into hers, as his mouth came down to hers. She wanted it, but she didn't need this right now. At least, she didn't think she did. Thinking was hard with him kissing her like that. . . .
::Pregnant.::
The thought ripped through her haze, questioning and warning in one blow. She couldn't do this. They couldn't do this.
He broke contact for a moment; she seized it. "Hey, Vegeta, do you know what I really want?"
The lust that flared in his eyes told her he was in for one whale of a disappointment.
She took a deep breath. "To go flying."
To her surprise, he laughed. "I don't think I've done it *that* way before."
Men. She swatted his shoulder. "Nooo, I mean I want to go flying. Without the extra-curricular activity."
He studied her, his brow a bit furrowed, then he simply shrugged. "Very well. Afterwards."
He tried to kiss her again, but she held him off. "Now."
He touched his forehead to hers and whispered, "An Earth month is a very long time to a Saiyan in heat."
Heat? He'd been in heat? Oh God. And she was slowly joining him. She needed more time. "But I've never been flying for real. Gohan and Yamcha only took me when we were running from someone. Or when we needed to get from Point A to Point B. I want someone to whisk me off just for the thrill of it." She cupped his face. "Please?" She held her breath, waiting for his response.
Moments dragged by. He lifted his head. "Where do you want to go?"
= = = =
It was nothing she thought it would be and everything she dreamed. She'd had no particular destination in mind; she just wanted to go. Open fields, lakes, trees whizzed beneath her in a carnival blur of colors and shapes. It was the best convertible top-down ride and roller coaster she'd ever been on, but there was no car, no tracks to bind her to the ground. The winds caught her hair and slid across her outstretched arms as if it'd been waiting for her all along. An adrenaline high; a freedom high. His arms re- secured his hold around her. A Vegeta high.
He'd actually put her wants ahead of his. That one still stunned her. But she'd tucked it away for further review. She wasn't sure what it meant, but it was a good thing. Maybe even a good omen. Maybe everything would work out after all.
"Bored already?"
She glanced backwards at Vegeta. Had she been that deep in thought? Never mind. "Yeah, I am bored. You've got a one-trick pony here."
A wicked grin spread across his face. "That's what you think."
= = = =
Vegeta couldn't help but chuckle at the woman's squeals as he barrel rolled another dive. Most of her kind would be screaming in fear, but not his Bulma. She was having the time of her life. So was he, but he slowed down over a wooded area divided by a stream. He had even better ideas for a good time. He brought them in for a landing.
"Hey, what gives?" The woman whirled around, hands planted on her hips, just moments after they touched down
"You got what you wanted." He stroked his thumb across her lips. "I get what I wanted."
That got her attention. For a moment, she looked like a trapped animal and he wondered again at her stalling tactic. He knew that's what this flying business had been about, but realized a direct assault wouldn't work. And he admitted the thought of giving her something that damn fool Yamcha hadn't pleased him. His first sense was to press his advantage. She was on unfamiliar ground. She was still flustered from their flight. Yet he couldn't wholly override his desire for her to tell him what bothered her of her own free will.
Nor could he help using her startled moment to enjoy the sight of her. The wind had left her hair a wild blue mane. The color was high in her cheeks and down what her shirt allowed him to see of her chest. Her breasts seemed rounder; All of her was full, lush.
Stalling be damned.
Anticipation tuned his senses as he lowered his head to kiss her. Opening himself to read her life force would heighten their sex even more, the growing waves of her desire would echo within him, adding an exquisite layer of pleasure. He'd have to teach her to sense him the same--
Wait, what was that. He paused, shifting all his attention to her energy signal. There it was again, faint, yet distinct. Another life force, fluttering with the adrenaline still flowing through her veins. Fluttering in what would be her womb.
The revelation knocked him to his knees. He heard sounds come from her mouth, but he could understand no human language. Only the tiny being spoke to him. He was to be a father. No mind, no heart could fully comprehend such joy. Not even his own.
He became aware that his shoulders were being shaken. He looked up into her concerned face. Why had she not told him? Or was she herself not yet aware? Perhaps not. But -- everything clicked -- she'd been suspicious. Of course, she'd wanted to be sure. He could assure her right now.
"You're with child."
Bulma froze. Her stomach had sunk along with Vegeta. She'd never seen him go down like that, and then he hadn't answered her. And now, here he was, saying with that damned certainty of his, the one thing she'd been afraid of. The one thing she'd been worried he'd figure out. Dammit, dammit, dammit.
She wasn't ready for this. Maybe she could play it off. "What are talking about?" She winced inside at the tremble in her voice. She had to control that. "What child?"
He stood up, unadulterated happiness lacing his laugh. She'd never heard him this happy, except for the time he'd thought Goku and Frieza were dead, leaving him the strongest warrior in the universe. She never fully bought he'd be happy at Goku's death. It was more a love/hate thing, and Goku was the only other full-blooded Saiyan left. They were like bickering brothers, though not many other brother's arguments could leave the planet quak--
Hmph! Bulma found herself flush up against Vegeta's body, pinned there by one of his arms, ending her mental ramble. Closest thing he had to a hug. She could feel him smiling.
"He'll be strong, Bulma. A truly noble warrior. And I suppose it won't hurt if he has some of mother's brains."
Oh God, he'd be testing names next. He couldn't know, could he?? She wasn't really, was she?? Everything suppressed the past few weeks erupted inside her. Her heart was beating so fast it hurt. She couldn't . . . it didn't . . .but what if . . . . "NO!"
"Bulma? What it is? Your pulse is racing."
"Stop it!" She shoved him away. She couldn't not scream. She couldn't stop tears from welling up. She could barely breathe. She couldn't even see anymore; the world was just a bleary, scary haze she wanted to go away. "Stop talking like that! You can't know anything! I'm just late, that's all; I'm just late. There is no baby, Vegeta. Do you hear me?! There is no baby!" She sank to the ground, wrapping her arms around her knees just to stop them all from shaking. "God, what would I do with a baby anyway? And half-Saiyan. . . ."
Everything was silent, shattered only by her sobs. Her fingernails bit into her palms, but it hurt less than heart. What was she going to do now.
"I see."
Her head snapped up. It was like another man stood there. The voice had been so warm, but now so brittle. And his eyes -- Bulma sucked in her breath -- he looks like his soul had been sucked straight to hell. His name barely passed her lips: "Vege--"
"You don't want a Saiyan child. That's too bad." He knelt in front of her, a cruelty twisting his mouth, the same cruelty lost worlds must have seen before he destroyed them. "You are having this child woman, and you will do everything in your power to insure its safe and healthy delivery."
Her shock-worn body had no defense against his fury. She sat there, numb, while he stood up and walked away.
He stopped a few feet from her. "If it's any consolation," he kept his back to her, "I also find the situation . . . less than ideal. After all, I have had to sire my royal *Saiyan* offspring on a human bitch."
He flew off without a backwards glance.
NCDavis
Chap. 5: Trouble in Paradise
Disclaimer: Dragon Ball Z and its characters are not mine, but belong to Akira Toriyama. This work of fiction is for entertainment purposes only.
Key:
Double colons (::): Thought
Plus signs (+): Computer's voice
Slashes (/): Italics
Asterisks (*): Bold/Underline
AN: She's baaack. The lag wasn't all my fault, with FF.net having server problems, but I have had to put my fanfic on the back burner. So I offer what would've been the first half of the final chapter as a chapter of its own as a bit of a fix. However, I have to re-submerge myself in deadlines and commitments at least till the middle of August, which means I doubt I'll get the next chapter up till late Aug. or Sept. What can I say? Life sucks sometimes.
It'll be interesting to see what y'all think of this one. I'll say upfront I've always felt these two exchange places in the maturity dept. Sometimes Bulma's in the lead; sometimes Vegeta. Well, usually Bulma's in the lead, but we all have our bad days. And when it comes to emotions, Vegeta often reacts as good -- or as bad -- as he thinks he's gotten. Besides, what's fanfic without a good dose of angst.
Hope this one eases the cravings.
AN UPDATE 8/5/02: Hiya. I've been reading the reviews, and I'm glad y'all like what you've read. If you haven't read it yet, skip this note and come back.
A lot of you have asked, "Doesn't she want the baby? I thought she was in love with Vegeta." I'm not going to go into long explanations here; Bulma will speak for herself in the next chapter. But knowing I have readers who are younguns, I feel I need to say this much. Call it an Auntie N moment. Bulma is in love with Vegeta. Being in love doesn't automatically mean being happy if you think you're pregnant, or find out you're pregnant. Being in a secure, loving, permanent relationship doesn't mean a woman will be happy to be pregnant. Sometimes, the feeling of unhappiness is resolved; sometimes it isn't. This is a simple fact of life. The whys, or why nots, are as distinct as the couple in the situation. I rate my stories R or NC-17 for sexual situations, but I also rate them these because I'm dealing with complex adult relationships. A lot of times, adults spend a good deal of time in relationships just being confused. :-)
****************
Warm breezes washed softly over Bulma's body, the sunshine adding to the lulling affect of the day. She lay on a blanket on a section of lawn tucked away from most of Capsule Corp.'s compound. Her body felt drowsy; unfortunately, her mind refused to follow suit.
It'd been a month since they'd made love. In her heart of hearts she'd never regret it, but she'd be lying to herself if she said she wasn't concerned. Funny. She never thought twice after that rutting episode. Maybe that was another difference between rutting and mating. The latter is what could get you pregnant.
The "P" word is what had kept her up more nights than she could count. She was late, but ironically enough that could be caused by the stress of wondering if she was pregnant or not. And by the stress of avoiding Vegeta. The first week had been easy. She hurt if he'd looked at her. She smiled. It'd been worth it. Still she begged a time-out just to recover and he'd agreed. Afterwards, he'd gotten back into his training regimen, though he'd been good about taking it easy on his injured leg, staying out of the gravity room till a few days ago. Well, he'd also been waiting for Dad to steam clean and re-upholster the room. He'd requested it. He hadn't told her why, though she would've sworn she'd heard him mumbling something about "damned scent" and "distraction."
Whatever the case, she'd never been so happy to see him disappear into the training room. No one knew what worries flew around her head. Her mom glanced at her from time to time. Somehow moms knew when something was up with their kids, but she had yet to come out and ask. Her dad didn't look for trouble and so didn't find it. But Vegeta would know something was bothering her, and he wouldn't stop asking until she told him. Frankly, she wasn't ready to talk. Exhaling a long breath, Bulma reminded herself she was supposed to be relaxing.
"Why the sigh, Woman."
Bulma's heart and stomach jumped, settling clumsily back into their right spots once she spotted him, in his usual shorts and tank, lying beside her in the grass. Speak of the devil.
"You almost gave me a heart attack sneaking up on me like that. Where did you come from anyway? I didn't hear a thing."
"Of course you didn't," he snorted, as if she'd been daft to suggest otherwise.
"Well excuse me, oh mighty warrior."
"Hunter."
"Huh?"
"Today, I am 'oh mighty hunter'."
Bulma stared at him. Was he trying to be . . . playful? "Just what are we hunting?"
His grin turned wolfish. "You."
In one fluid movement he lay atop her, his legs straddling her closed ones. She mentally cursed the ache that uncurled inside as his hips pressed into hers, as his mouth came down to hers. She wanted it, but she didn't need this right now. At least, she didn't think she did. Thinking was hard with him kissing her like that. . . .
::Pregnant.::
The thought ripped through her haze, questioning and warning in one blow. She couldn't do this. They couldn't do this.
He broke contact for a moment; she seized it. "Hey, Vegeta, do you know what I really want?"
The lust that flared in his eyes told her he was in for one whale of a disappointment.
She took a deep breath. "To go flying."
To her surprise, he laughed. "I don't think I've done it *that* way before."
Men. She swatted his shoulder. "Nooo, I mean I want to go flying. Without the extra-curricular activity."
He studied her, his brow a bit furrowed, then he simply shrugged. "Very well. Afterwards."
He tried to kiss her again, but she held him off. "Now."
He touched his forehead to hers and whispered, "An Earth month is a very long time to a Saiyan in heat."
Heat? He'd been in heat? Oh God. And she was slowly joining him. She needed more time. "But I've never been flying for real. Gohan and Yamcha only took me when we were running from someone. Or when we needed to get from Point A to Point B. I want someone to whisk me off just for the thrill of it." She cupped his face. "Please?" She held her breath, waiting for his response.
Moments dragged by. He lifted his head. "Where do you want to go?"
= = = =
It was nothing she thought it would be and everything she dreamed. She'd had no particular destination in mind; she just wanted to go. Open fields, lakes, trees whizzed beneath her in a carnival blur of colors and shapes. It was the best convertible top-down ride and roller coaster she'd ever been on, but there was no car, no tracks to bind her to the ground. The winds caught her hair and slid across her outstretched arms as if it'd been waiting for her all along. An adrenaline high; a freedom high. His arms re- secured his hold around her. A Vegeta high.
He'd actually put her wants ahead of his. That one still stunned her. But she'd tucked it away for further review. She wasn't sure what it meant, but it was a good thing. Maybe even a good omen. Maybe everything would work out after all.
"Bored already?"
She glanced backwards at Vegeta. Had she been that deep in thought? Never mind. "Yeah, I am bored. You've got a one-trick pony here."
A wicked grin spread across his face. "That's what you think."
= = = =
Vegeta couldn't help but chuckle at the woman's squeals as he barrel rolled another dive. Most of her kind would be screaming in fear, but not his Bulma. She was having the time of her life. So was he, but he slowed down over a wooded area divided by a stream. He had even better ideas for a good time. He brought them in for a landing.
"Hey, what gives?" The woman whirled around, hands planted on her hips, just moments after they touched down
"You got what you wanted." He stroked his thumb across her lips. "I get what I wanted."
That got her attention. For a moment, she looked like a trapped animal and he wondered again at her stalling tactic. He knew that's what this flying business had been about, but realized a direct assault wouldn't work. And he admitted the thought of giving her something that damn fool Yamcha hadn't pleased him. His first sense was to press his advantage. She was on unfamiliar ground. She was still flustered from their flight. Yet he couldn't wholly override his desire for her to tell him what bothered her of her own free will.
Nor could he help using her startled moment to enjoy the sight of her. The wind had left her hair a wild blue mane. The color was high in her cheeks and down what her shirt allowed him to see of her chest. Her breasts seemed rounder; All of her was full, lush.
Stalling be damned.
Anticipation tuned his senses as he lowered his head to kiss her. Opening himself to read her life force would heighten their sex even more, the growing waves of her desire would echo within him, adding an exquisite layer of pleasure. He'd have to teach her to sense him the same--
Wait, what was that. He paused, shifting all his attention to her energy signal. There it was again, faint, yet distinct. Another life force, fluttering with the adrenaline still flowing through her veins. Fluttering in what would be her womb.
The revelation knocked him to his knees. He heard sounds come from her mouth, but he could understand no human language. Only the tiny being spoke to him. He was to be a father. No mind, no heart could fully comprehend such joy. Not even his own.
He became aware that his shoulders were being shaken. He looked up into her concerned face. Why had she not told him? Or was she herself not yet aware? Perhaps not. But -- everything clicked -- she'd been suspicious. Of course, she'd wanted to be sure. He could assure her right now.
"You're with child."
Bulma froze. Her stomach had sunk along with Vegeta. She'd never seen him go down like that, and then he hadn't answered her. And now, here he was, saying with that damned certainty of his, the one thing she'd been afraid of. The one thing she'd been worried he'd figure out. Dammit, dammit, dammit.
She wasn't ready for this. Maybe she could play it off. "What are talking about?" She winced inside at the tremble in her voice. She had to control that. "What child?"
He stood up, unadulterated happiness lacing his laugh. She'd never heard him this happy, except for the time he'd thought Goku and Frieza were dead, leaving him the strongest warrior in the universe. She never fully bought he'd be happy at Goku's death. It was more a love/hate thing, and Goku was the only other full-blooded Saiyan left. They were like bickering brothers, though not many other brother's arguments could leave the planet quak--
Hmph! Bulma found herself flush up against Vegeta's body, pinned there by one of his arms, ending her mental ramble. Closest thing he had to a hug. She could feel him smiling.
"He'll be strong, Bulma. A truly noble warrior. And I suppose it won't hurt if he has some of mother's brains."
Oh God, he'd be testing names next. He couldn't know, could he?? She wasn't really, was she?? Everything suppressed the past few weeks erupted inside her. Her heart was beating so fast it hurt. She couldn't . . . it didn't . . .but what if . . . . "NO!"
"Bulma? What it is? Your pulse is racing."
"Stop it!" She shoved him away. She couldn't not scream. She couldn't stop tears from welling up. She could barely breathe. She couldn't even see anymore; the world was just a bleary, scary haze she wanted to go away. "Stop talking like that! You can't know anything! I'm just late, that's all; I'm just late. There is no baby, Vegeta. Do you hear me?! There is no baby!" She sank to the ground, wrapping her arms around her knees just to stop them all from shaking. "God, what would I do with a baby anyway? And half-Saiyan. . . ."
Everything was silent, shattered only by her sobs. Her fingernails bit into her palms, but it hurt less than heart. What was she going to do now.
"I see."
Her head snapped up. It was like another man stood there. The voice had been so warm, but now so brittle. And his eyes -- Bulma sucked in her breath -- he looks like his soul had been sucked straight to hell. His name barely passed her lips: "Vege--"
"You don't want a Saiyan child. That's too bad." He knelt in front of her, a cruelty twisting his mouth, the same cruelty lost worlds must have seen before he destroyed them. "You are having this child woman, and you will do everything in your power to insure its safe and healthy delivery."
Her shock-worn body had no defense against his fury. She sat there, numb, while he stood up and walked away.
He stopped a few feet from her. "If it's any consolation," he kept his back to her, "I also find the situation . . . less than ideal. After all, I have had to sire my royal *Saiyan* offspring on a human bitch."
He flew off without a backwards glance.