Disclaimer: I'm working on it . . .

A/N: Hey. Not much to say here . . . only this is a way super short chapter, but it's so cute!!! I think the cute-ness of it will make up for the length.

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-chapter seventeen-

Bulma missed the rest of her classes that day. Blood was taken, tests were run, and they concluded halfway through the testing that Chichi didn't have to worry about her potion poisoning Bulma. Chichi had been extremely worried about it, thinking that her potion had something bad in it or had caused an allergic reaction. She was cleared after lunch, and forced to go to her classes. She gave Bulma a small hug so as not to hurt her, and stalked out the door, grumbling.

Bulma spent the rest of the day in bed with a fever and aching muscles. She was dizzy and had trouble thinking straight. This is what it must feel like to have an ever constant hangover . . . Bulma thought bitterly as her leg was stabbed with pain. She bit her lip to keep from crying out.

At supper time, the doctor entered Bulma's room with a folder and a small supper. She was allowed to eat certain things because she felt no nausea. Bulma was glad for that as she swallowed down her chicken. The pain in her leg was aching steadily but not unbearably when the doctor, Dr. Brown, sat on the bed.

"Bulma, I've found out what you have. There's good news and bad news. Which one do you want first?"

"Bad."

"You have a rare form of the flu that is normally contracted by different species of butterflies. It causes them to not be able to fly, to have muscles spasms, and it robs them of their ability to use a member of their body, most of the time the tongue."

Bulma raised an eyebrow. "Butterflies? I'm a fairy, not a butterfly."

"Yes, but . . . I'm not sure quite how you contracted this disease. Are you read for the good news?" Bulma nodded. "It is a virus, so it will go away in time. Since you are much larger then butterflies, the disease isn't nearly as harmful to you. Plus, your parents are coming to see you."

A smile lit up Bulma's face. "Really? When?"

"I believe they left a few hours ago. They should be here any time. Your friends are also here to visit you."

"Hey Bulma!" Chichi said loudly as she entered the room. "How are you doing?"

"I'm good, I guess. Guess what? Mom and Dad are coming to . . . " She suddenly stopped and giggled when Vegeta came in. "Vegeta, Mom and my dad are coming up here. You better hide."

Vegeta snorted and Bulma laughed.

"Mind if I sit here?" Goku asked politely, pointing to the end of her bed. Bulma shook her head. "Thanks. Now what do you have?"

Bulma explained about the strange disease. "Butterflies? You're not a butterfly!"

"I'm glad," Vegeta mumbled from the background.

"What's the matter, Vegeta? Don't like butterflies?"

"Well, now I know what to get him for his birthday."

"If you do, I don't care who its from, I'll burn it."

Bulma laughed, but it quickly turned into a painful look and a small moan as the muscles in her leg contracted and the pain began to shoot through her whole leg worse then before, making her bit her lip and lean backwards into her pillow. Her friends watched her anxiously, worry filling their eyes. Chichi leaned over and wrapped an arm around her friend's shoulder. "It's ok, girl. Fight it off."

The pain passed within a few minutes and everyone was called out of the room. The nurse came in a few minutes later, and shoed everyone out. She came up to Bulma and smiled gently. "How are you doing?"

Bulma shrugged. "As good as can be expected, I guess. I'm fine." Bulma looked at the nurse, but then looked at her facial expressions again. She was smiling . . . but something wasn't right. It was almost as if half her face was smiling and half was . . . preoccupied, was all she could think of.

"You sure?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Ok . . . young man," she called, turning to the door. Vegeta walked in with a completely different look on his face then before.

Bulma's blank expression changed to a grin as the nurse went out and closed the door behind her. But her grin faded when something in his eyes shone with . . . worry.

"I'm ok. Really."

He didn't say anything, but sat down on her bed.

"Ok, people are starting to freak me out. What's going on?"

Vegeta exhaled loudly and turned away.

"Vegeta . . . "

"You're aware you parents were coming to see you, right?"

"Yes."

"Something happened."

Bulma's heart began to quicken and she sat up. "What kind of something would that be?"

"They . . . they were hit by a drunk driver."

Bulma sat back down slowly, in shock. "Don't tell me they . . . " She couldn't say it.

"No, they aren't dead." Bulma let out the breath she was holding. "But . . . "

"Oh Kami . . . "

"Your father has brain damage, and they aren't sure if it will heal. He's in a comma right now. Your mother had a few broken bones, but nothing life threatening."

Bulma drew breath in shakily. She brought her hands up to her chest. Tears started to form behind her eyes, but she wouldn't cry. She had cried too much this year. "Well, uhm, I'm sure they'll be just fine, right?" she said, looking for some reassurance . . . anywhere. "I mean, they just need to heal, right? Everything will be ok, right? They - they won't, like . . . no, they'll, they'll be ok, rig - right?" She hastily wiped her eyes and turned away from Vegeta. As the pure reality sunk in, she couldn't hold in the tears, and they came streaming down silently.

Vegeta watched her struggle, feeling utterly helpless, a feeling he did not like. Bulma stared at the window opposite to him and soon her head lowered. Her shoulders began to shake, and he heard her sobbing quietly. He moved over so he was closer to her on the bed.

Bulma flinched as Vegeta gently wrapped his hands around her forearms. She coughed and tried to move out of his grasp, but he wouldn't let go. "Vegeta," she said, her voice wavering, "d-don't . . . " As she began to cry silently again, Vegeta pulled her small frame onto his lap, her now sobbing uncontrollably. He shifted to the middle of the uncomfortable hospital bed and leaned up against the raised head. She curled into a little ball, placing her hands on his chest, crying. Vegeta wrapped his arms around her and her soft wings which were wrapped around herself. He held her close. He closed his eyes, resting his cheek on her head.

Unknown to both, the door silently opened and four sets of eyes peered into the room. They witnessed a small kiss to Bulma's head placed by non other then the loud, arrogant, and ever so independent Vegeta. There was a quiet "aw," and an "ouch" and the door closed with the smallest of clicks.

Outside, Chichi smiled halfway and put her hands in her pockets. "I never would have guessed it."

"I know what you mean," Goku said, draping an arm around Chichi's shoulders while 18 and Krillin clasped hands. The four set off, leaving the other two in peace.

How simply adorable!!! I love it! My masterpiece! Only . . . this is my second most favorite sweet moment with these two. My absolute favorite is still yet to come . . . *grins evilly* mwah hah . . .

DarkStar

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