Chapter 12: Distractions
Bulma rubbed her aching head. She had been staring at the computer screen for hours watching the data on her fathers latest creation scroll by. The past few weeks had been grueling. After the scene in the kitchen, she had thrown herself back into her work with a vengeance. Barely taking time to do more than grab a quick bite and a few hours of sleep, when she could even do that. Sleep had become more of an enemy to her of late than a retreat from life's problems.
Vegeta had kept true to his word. She'd seen very little of him since that morning. He stayed in the GR for days on end, only screaming for assistance when something broke. But she was proud of herself and the way she handled him on those few occasions. She kept it very business like, fixing his equipment, and leaving him without a fuss. He said little, other than making demands and insulting her appearance.
Her head nodded and she realized she'd fallen asleep again. "Damn! Might as well hang it up for the night, I'm not gonna get anything done like this." She closed out her screen and set the security guards in place. Punching in the code on the door, she walked slowly across the compound, looking up at the starlit sky.
A figure stood in the shadow of a large tree that grew close to the kitchen door. It watched the woman intently, smiling as she walked right up to it not even noticing its presence.
"You should pay more attention to your surroundings instead of stargazing woman. Anyone could make easy pray out of you." A rough voice said from the darkness.
Bulma squeaked, her knees going weak. She pressed her hand against her chest in a futile effort to stop her heart from falling out. "Shit! Vegeta, you scared ten years off my life! What are you doing lurking around in the dark like some peeping Tom?" she glared at his silhouette.
He chuckled lightly. "I don't lurk. If you don't have good night vision, that's not my fault. What are you doing out here this time of night anyway?"
"I was working." She said tiredly.
He frowned, giving her a quick assessment. Her chi was weaker than normal, and her odor was different. Not unpleasant, matter of fact, it was even more inviting than before. He cocked his head and looked at her more closely. Her appearance was a little mussed, but she didn't look any different than usual. "Are you feeling alright woman?"
"Was that concern I just heard in your voice Vegeta?" she asked without mirth. Seeing him stiffen, she sighed. "I'm just tired. I've been putting a lot of hours into this project for Dad."
"You should get some rest. You look bad."
"Boy, are you one to talk. Don't tell me what to do bucko. Just because I can't shoot energy blasts and fly and kick ass doesn't mean I can't contribute something to this fight. Besides, it's not like I have anything else to do. Everybody's busy getting ready for the androids, I dumped Yamcha and you dumped me, so it's not like I have a social life to keep me busy." She huffed.
Vegeta looked at her with something akin to shocked amusement. "I only told you to get some rest woman. Damn your moody! And what the hell is 'dumped'? I haven't laid a finger on you in weeks."
"Duh! You don't usually lay anything on anybody you don't want. Which is what 'dumped' means. Gotten rid of, disposed of, no longer interested in." she waved her hand around in a dismissing gesture.
"Got rid of? What are you talking about? Have you lost what little mind you have left?" he frowned.
"Hmm, lets see, what were your exact words? Oh yeah, "I will tolerate no interruptions woman." Sounded pretty clear to me. You got what you wanted and no longer needed me for anything other than maintenance work."
"Do you want to live at the end of the next two years?" he cut her off as she started to answer him. "Then I need to become a Super Saiyan. I can't do that if your constantly badgering me about things. Right now that is the only thing that is important to me, and it should be to you also. I don't have time to mess with you and you know it. It's distracting enough just to have you around for a few minutes at a time. I'll have you know, I've never been distracted by anything before and it's damn frustrating!" he ended with a shout.
"Well, if I distract you so much, LEAVE!" she shouted back, and instantly regretted it. She could feel his pain at her words. "I didn't mean that Vegeta. You just make me so angry. I'll try to stay out of your way. It might be better if Dad starts working on your stuff again instead of me, so you won't be bothered."
"Yes. That's true. But it might not be a bad idea for me to go somewhere else for a while though. Where there aren't any temptations." He leaned back against the tree. It wasn't the first time he had entertained this thought.
"Where will you go?"
"Off planet."
She felt her chest tighten. "Will you… will you come back?"
He was silent for a minute, watching her. Even though he didn't have to see her to know what she was feeling. He was always acutely aware of her; that was his problem. "I said I would defeat the androids didn't I? And I have a date to kick Kakarot's ass when it's all over with."
"Oh."
"Is there another reason I should come back?" he baited.
She shrugged. "Only because you'd want to, I guess."
He reached out and pulled her into his embrace, and kissed her. She wrapped her arms around him and kissed back shyly. "Let's go to your room this time." He whispered roughly then pulled her through the house to her room and shut the door.
Bulma awoke the next morning to the rumble of the pod lifting off. She ran to the window just in time to see it streak out of site. "Well. Guess I'll see you later." She sighed and chuckled. He'd be back. After last night, there was no denying it. They had made love until they both collapsed with exhaustion. She dressed and bounded down the stairs to the kitchen.
Her mother was sipping a cup of coffee and her father was reading the paper. They looked up as she sat down at the table and poured herself a cup. "Morning!" she chirped at them.
They exchanged glances. Her mother gave her a curious look. "Vegeta left a few minutes ago dear. Do you have any idea why?"
She took a sip of her coffee and smiled broadly. "Because I was a distraction."
Mrs. Briefs giggled knowingly. Dr. Briefs quirked an eyebrow and made a funny noise that meant, 'I really don't understand and probably don't want to.' Then went back to reading his paper.
Question time. Who thinks I should skip to when Vegeta comes back home? I really don't think it would be interesting to right about a few months where the only thing going on is work, work, and more work….. And to be honest, I don't know of anyway to make it not sound like all the other B/V fics out there that fill in this part of the story. So the next chapter can be, every gets surprised, or dull stuff that's just fill in. Let me know!!
