Title: Thunder And Roses

Author: Pale Orchid

Rating: R

Summary: Will Bulma ever find the guy for her?

Category: Romance/Slight Angst

Spoilers: Nope, nada, nothing.

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 : If you want it, send me a note and I'll say yeppers

Feedback: Ya know, it's all good, all the time. PaleOrchids@hotmail.com or press the little review button at the end of the page. Yep, that's the one. Go on, it won't bite. At least, not the first time. J


Authors Note: Oh I so don't like where this story wants to go...

Thunder and Roses

Chapter Three: Something I Can Trust,

But I Can't Control.

Oh, ChiChi, I'm pregnant.

There, she had said it. The one sentence that had been on her mind for the last two weeks, ever since she had found out. Ever since the doctor had uttered the words, Congratulations, Ms. Briefs, you're pregnant she had wanted to tell someone, anyone. But when she thought about it, only ChiChi would understand the whole story.

What!! Bulma, that's wonderful! ChiChi clasped her hands together and grinned broadly. When's the baby due?

Umm, around the middle of November.

November? But you and well you weren't with Yamcha at the time. You'd gone your separate ways months before.

Okay, do or die time. Taking a deep breath she opened her mouthand stalled for more time.

Yamcha isn't the father.

Well who is the father then?

Confusion was written all over ChiChi's face. Bulma didn't know which she preferred; the elation of before, the confusion of nowor what was to come.

Enough time stalling.

Horror had replaced the confusion. Bad sign. Oh, Bulma, if it was like that, then we can still fix this. I don't know what you'll want to do, concerning the baby, but I know that my Goku will deal with that bastard.

Oh dear Kami! Bulma almost giggled to herself. ChiChi thought that Vegeta had raped her? No, no, nothing like that. How well was his act if people couldn't see through it? Time to put ChiChi straight, before she got too far into her revenge scheme. The woman could be a vindictive bitch when she wanted to be.

No ChiChi, there'll be no need for Goku to do anything. Vegeta didn't rape me. It was consensual on both sides. It has been for a few months now.

So this was planned?

Hell no! I wasn't planning on having children anytime soon. It just happened.

ChiChi looked at Bulma, trying to be happy for her friend. But still, Vegeta? She would've thought that Bulma had had better taste than that. After all, what kind of father would a planet destroying, people blasting murder be?

Bulma noticed ChiChi's expression. Damn. This was not going as well as she hoped. Perhaps she should not have told her, or maybe she should've told Goku first. He'd probably just ask her if she was all right and be fine with it. Probably.

No. Vegeta doesn't know. No one does. Just you, me and this little one. She placed a hand protectively on her still flat stomach. Ever since she had found out, she had studied her abdomen from all sides, all different angles, and she couldn't see a swellingbut she thought she felt one.

Well, if you're happy then I'm happy for you. Congratulations.

Bulma bit her bottom lip as she grinned slightly.

Thanks ChiChi. You have no idea what that means to me.

Seeing the relief in Bulma's eyes and hearing it in her voice, ChiChi decided that she would lay aside her feelings for this unborn child's father, and concentrate on the babe itself. After all, this child shouldn't have to live with the deeds of it father. No child should.

She grasped Bulma's hand in hers and squeezed it a little.

So, have you thought of any names?

Thank Kami! I thought your next question was going to be when are you going to tell him.

ChiChi smiled. From the sound of it, you've been trying to figure that one out yourself. You'll know the right time.

Did you? Bulma asked her question tentatively and in a low voice.

When I told Goku about Gohan? No. ChiChi shook her head at the memory. He came running out of the house, wanting to know where the other me was.

The other you?

Oh yes. Goku could feel a second ki within me. But at the time, he didn't know it was inside me. He thought that it was standing next to me. Cause quite a uproar, now that I think about it.

Bulma started to chew on her bottom lip. This could be a problem.

How far along were you

Oh, not long. About six weeks.

Then I don't have much time before Vegeta could sense the child's ki. I'm already four weeks along.

ChiChi smiled sympathetically. Then I suggest that you tell him, before he finds out for himself.

Bulma grimaced. I really don't know if I should tell him at all. I mean, before I knew about the ki thing, I was just going to leave it. Tell him when I started to show. Give him the options and then go our separate ways.

Separate ways? I don't understand, I thought that you and he.. well.

Bulma sighed and smiled weakly at her friend.

Chi, we're just fucking each other, that's it. He doesn't love me.

ChiChi took a sip from the glass in front of her. There was something to the way Bulma had said that, something more that she wanted to say. Just under the surface, just there, so close, but covered over. It hit her.

But, do you love him?

A weak laugh broke out. Yeah, I do.

Bulma stood up and started pacing the room, waving her hands about.

I was with Yamcha for so long, and I spent so much time hating myself for being with him, but not loving him. It was almost a relief when I cut it off.

I remember.

But did I learn my lesson? No! Cause then, like karma says, I fall in love with a guy who doesn't love me at all! That son of a bitch made me fall in love with him! And he's just using me to get his rocks off! And now I'm stuck with a man who doesn't love me and the consequences of my actions! Ahhh!

When Bulma collapsed back in her chair ChiChi just looked at her.

Yeah, yeah, I know, I brought it on myself.

I didn't say anything of the sort.

No, but I've had this conversation so many times in my head, that I know what you're thinking. And you're right. I just want to know why I can't find someone who is both. You know, loves me like Yamcha did, and makes me feel like Vegeta does, all rolled into one. Hell, I'd settle for Vegeta even liking me a bit more than just lusting after me.

She grinned at her friend sheepishly. Thanks for listening.

No problem. Any time. Just try to cut back on the language if Gohan's around. He gets enough from that old pervert Roshi.

End Chapter Three.