Title: Forgive

Author: Pale Orchid

Rating: PG-13

Summary: After Buu, can Bulma forgive Vegeta?

Category: Bulma/Vegeta Angst-Romance, hopefully. We'll see.


Spoilers: Anything after Veggie went ka-boom!


Disclaimer: I don't own any of the DragonBall Z characters or anything even remotely DBZ related. I'm just a poor Aussie girl with too much time on her hands.


Archiving: Anyone would actually want this???


Authors Note: Thanks to all who reviewed! I'd give you all a special hello but I'm really bad remembering names. Trust me; really, I call my family Betty, Joe, Bob, Cecil and Jade. Which is nowhere near their names. They weren't impressed.

Anyway, on with the story. Hopefully there'll only be two more chapters.

Forgive.


Chapter Four: Your Beautiful Life,
In The Blink Of An Eye

I just don't know what to do ChiChi. I know that be broke not only our pact but my trust as well, it's just not that simple. Bulma finished telling her friend what had been going on for the last few days.

ChiChi looked sadly at Bulma as she placed the cup and saucer down before her. There were many responses she could give that should, in theory, make Bulma feel better about what she had done. But none of them would work in this situation.


Of course it's not that simple Bulma. It's never that simple with Saiyans. It's the fault of the bonding. You can never stay mad at your mate for long because they are a part of you.


I know. But it's driving me crazy. All the time that little part of me that is him, is there. And I know exactly what he's feeling or doing at any given point in the day.

A solitary tear trickled down her cheek.


I know exactly when he's checking up on me, to make sure I'm okay, that I'm not in trouble. Plus I feel his relief when he finds that I'm safe. And, well, it hurts.


ChiChi handed Bulma a tissue from the box behind her. After being with Goku for so long, she knew what Bulma was talking about. Even if their bond hadn't been too strong in the beginning, it was still there, and got stronger with each passing year. When he died it had nearly killed her inside, to have this sudden emptiness inside her, but she had her son to think about then.

While Bulma had Trunks, it wasn't the same. Vegeta wasn't dead. He was still living and even on the same planet. Even so, the distance that currently separated them might as well have been a universe length.


What hurts the most, exactly?


Bulma sniffed and served ChiChi a half smile.


Wanting him back with me, but not being able to trust him fully. I just wish we could go back to the way we were before everything happened.


Was it better then?


Thinking hard, Bulma tried to remember past the terrible memories that had haunted her of late.


Yes, it was. Better. Trunks, Vegeta and I, we were becoming a proper family. Vegeta was even spending time with Trunks that didn't include fighting, training, or generally trying to kill each other in anyway. She allowed herself a small smirk. Well, except for the video game tournaments.


Vegeta – playing video games??


Bulma laughed at ChiChi's expression. Trust me. No one was more surprised than me.


She sighed sadly, watching as her expelled breath caused ripples within the liquid in her cup.


I hate to ask this, but how's Trunks taking this? I noticed he didn't come with you today.


Taking a sip, Bulma snorted. The newest his highness decided that since his father was no longer allowed in the house he would take over all his duties. This basically means, he's not speaking to me and virtually lives in the Gravity Room.


Using the tissue still in her hand, Bulma wiped her eyes, to stop anymore tears from escaping.


If he needs something from me, he passes notes to my father. Notes! What's worse is that Dad goes through them first to censor anything he knows I wouldn't want to read, let alone hear come out of Trunks' mouth.


Oh dear!


He refuses to look at me if we're in the same room. It's like living with Vegeta all over again, when we first got back from Namek. Leaning back on the chair she covered her eyes with her forearm.


Refraining from her natural instinct, that was practically screaming for her to tell Bulma to sit properly in the chair, ChiChi asked, What are you going to do about that?


I'm just hoping that he calms down and realizes that this arrangement isn't permanent.


While her friend wasn't looking ChiChi allowed herself a small smile. As much as she didn't particularly like Vegeta, she couldn't deny how good they were for each other. She guessed it was the matchmaker in her.


You've already decide that it isn't permanent.


Bulma sat the chair back down into it's four legs.


Oh Chi, I know I have to take him back. I can't live without him. I feel it . I know that I'm only half a person when he's not with me. I accepted the bonding freely. That always keeps him with me.


And even all he's done, you still can't stop loving him.


Yeah. I still love him. And I know he still loves me. I feel it, even if he isn't so great with verbalizing it.


ChiChi smiled. So, what are you going to do?


I need a few more days to get myself in order, and then I'm going to ask Trunks where his father is hiding.


It sounds like you have a plan.


Hmmm. I'll let you know if it works.


The two women sipped from their cups in companionable silence.

End Chapter Four.