Strip Search

Chapter 2: Vanilla scented pillows

The sun rose over the horizon, spilling gold into the darkroom. The bright rays grazed over the still bodies until one of their eyes cracked open and light filled them. His dark eyes glazed over with a coat of tears from the strain on his sensitive eyes. He shut them again and rolled onto his stomach, shoving his face into the vanilla scented pillow. He inhaled the wonderful perfume before it hit him. Vanilla scented? He slowly rose up using his hands and he turned to the sleeping figure next to him. What the hell? His mind inquired but it all came back to him as he saw the peaceful face of Vegeta. A smile found it's way to his lips as he remembered the night before. But what he didn't understand was where he was and why. He shifted onto his back and sat up, his eyes scrutinized the room. It consisted of a mahogany dresser; various papers were strewn across it and other files. A desk, that too had paper scattered across it, a chair that was half pushed in. A small bedside dresser with a cup of water on it, a small white lamp, and an alarm clock. The colors of the room consisted of navy blue, white, and had a touch of gold. He pushed back the thin blankets carefully so that he wouldn't wake up Vegeta. He slid out of the bed and moved towards his shoes and socks. He slipped on his socks, shoes, and moved towards the door as he ran his fingers briskly through his hair.

"Where are you going?" He froze as he heard the stern voice.

"Uh . . ." No intelligible words came from his mouth.

"That's what I thought." Vegeta was already walking over to him. "Good morning to you too."

"I- uh- good morning." Vegeta walked past him, disappeared with in a door, and emerged moments later. "Um, Vegeta. I need to leave. I have a class tonight and I don't wanna miss it." He licked his lips, trying to clear the bad taste from his mouth.

"Well you're going to have to wait. Your car is still where I left it last night."

Goku's eyes grew wide. "You-you left it there!?"

Vegeta nodded as he pulled on a pair of clean dark blue pants. "I had to. Some men in a truck tried to kill you."

"What? . . ." Goku said in disbelief. "I don't remember . . ."

"You were asleep."

"Oh. Is this your house?" Goku asked.

"Yes. I bought you here after what happened. You'll need your car if you want to get back to school. I'll drive you to it when I leave to work." He stepped close to Goku. "Now, why do those men want you dead?" His eyes narrowed.

Goku shrugged. "I really don't know."

"They were trying to KILL YOU! You have to know!" Vegeta shouted as his anger grew.

"I really don't know! I think it may have something to do with my father and my friend . . . but other than th-"

"Your father and friend? They want you dead?"

Goku shook his head. "No- they- my dad was killed a few weeks ago and my friend disappeared. Who ever wants me dead, had something to do with my father's death."

"But why would they want you dead?"

"He- he worked for this guy named Frieza. You may have heard of him before." Vegeta nodded. "Well, I guess there was something going on with the company and maybe- maybe they were afraid that my dad knew something and killed him. I really don't know, but I've been thinking about it and that is that I came up with."

"Hmm . . . Frieza Cold. I've heard of him before. He's been brought to the station many times for drugs and he was wanted for murder, but was found not guilty. You think he has something to do with this?" Goku nodded. "That still doesn't explain-"He paused, then it came to him. "Maybe he thinks that you know something! Perhaps he thinks your father told you something you weren't supposed to know." Goku shrugged. "That may be it." Vegeta shot his head over his shoulder and to his clock. It was almost time for him to leave. "We'll have to finish this later. I need to finish getting dressed. Write your number in my address book by the phone in the kitchen." He turned away from Goku and went into the bathroom. Goku frowned and moved out of the room, down the hall, the stairs, and into the kitchen. He saw the white phone and the small book next to it. He opened it to see many names written down neatly in black ink. He picked up a nearby pen and wrote in his name and number in his messy handwriting. He set it back down as Vegeta stepped next to him; clad in his police uniform. It fit all the right places nicely. He smiled at Vegeta. The older male picked up the small address book.

"Come on." He moved to the front door and out it. Goku quickly followed and they both piled into the car. He tossed Goku the keys to his vehicle as he set down the address book. They sat in silence as they went towards Goku's mustang. It was parked the same place as it had the night before. The highway was full of various vehicles that went by in blurs of blue, black, red and the occasional silver, green, white and purple. Goku sighed heavily as they drove up behind the car. Vegeta stopped his car and looked over at Goku.

"If you figure anything else out or need anything contact me at the prescient or . . ." he handed Goku a small card with his number on it. "My home number. If they ask who you are- make up a name. I'll know who you are."

Goku nodded. "Thanks."  Vegeta leaned across the center console and kissed Goku's arched brow. Goku's smiled warmly.

"Are you busy tonight?" Vegeta asked, he tried to make his voice sound innocent but, he failed miserably.

"Actually, I have classes tonight. But if you want you can drop by, I get home about 9 or so. Just call my cell and I'll tell you how to get there. Call before 6."

"I'll be sure to do that." Goku swung open the door and got out.

"See ya." He gave a quick wave, unlocked the door to his car and got inside. Vegeta watched as the car drove off and he mouthed a silent 'goodbye.'

He yawned as he drove down the free way. He hadn't gotten his usual amount of coffee or sleep.  However, that night's experience was worth it. Every damn second. He smiled as he pulled into a coffee shop. Parked his car and got out. While taking a deep breath he moved towards the coffee shop, not noticing a familiar green truck with the front and side dinted in.

~ ~ ~

Goku parked his mustang outside of his small home. He didn't stay there normally but with the cops after him, he decided to make it his new home. Before that, he lived with his father and friend Yamcha. But after his father died, Yamcha had disappeared. So, he moved into an older cabin his mother owned. His parents had divorced a while back and the cabin had been their way to 'get away' from him and his brother. He deeply sighed as he walked up the steps and unlocked the front door.  He pushed it open and froze as he heard something. Not a closing door, but something else. He listened for another sound.

Crunch

That sound was all he needed. He made a mad dash into the house. The door slamming shut behind him and reopening. Oh shit! How did they find me? His mind screamed as he grabbed onto the railing of the stairs and raced up them. That sound- they must have gotten into my trunk. Dammit! He mentally slapped himself for being so stupid. He was so wrapped up with the cop that he had forgotten to check. He reached the top of the stairs and turned into a nearby room. He panted heavily as he went into the bath room and into the shower. The dark colored shower curtain, concealing his body. He could hear foot steps and the cocking of a gun. Oh god. His eyes slid shut as his body trembled and he backed up against the shower wall.

"Mr. Son. Come out. I'm not going to hurt you. I just want to ask you some questions." Yeah, he isn't gonna hurt me, he's going to kill me!. The voice sounded so sincere, but he knew better.  The clatter of feet grew louder. "Come out come out, wherever you are." The man sung. Please don't let him find me. Please don't let him find me! Then the foot steps stopped, it grew deathly still. No sounds but his heavy breathing and thumping heart.

Suddenly the curtains were pulled back. Goku yelped and jumped to the side, avoiding the out stretched arm. He threw back the curtains and stepped over the side of the tub but didn't get far. A hand grasped his upper arm, with a painful jerk he was pulled back. Something cold pressed against his neck. His breathing hitched. "Don't try to get away and everything will be fine." The voice said callously. "Nod if you understand." The grip on his arm tightened. Goku nodded. "Now start walking." The weapon pressed painfully against his skin. He took a step forward and the man still held his arm.

"What do you want?" He asked, hoping for this situation to make some sense.

"You'll find out very soon." He breathed, his breath hitting the side of Goku's neck, sending a chill down his spine.

~ ~ ~

Vegeta stepped into the small coffee shop and he went to the counter. An older man smiled at Vegeta. "How may I help you?"

"I'll have a large coffee, black."

"That'll be $1.75." Vegeta handed him the money. "One moment officer."

"I'm going to go sit down over there." The gray haired man nodded. Vegeta took a seat.

"-Yeah-you heard me- a cop!" A man with an Australian accent spoke.

"A cop? What the fuck was a cop doing there?"

"Yeah, nearly killed me and the others. But listen to this. Mr. Son was snoozing in the back."

"What?" The other man said in disbelief. "You think they got something going on?"

"I don't know Zarbon, but I'm going to find out." The man stood up.

Zarbon stood up. "What did the cop look like?"

"As a matter of fact he looked like that guy right there. Just like him!" He motioned his head towards Vegeta.

"Really Jeice? You think that's the guy?" Jeice shrugged.

"How should I know!" He pushed back his long blonde-white hair behind his shoulders. "Only one way to find out." He walked over to Vegeta and sat down in the seat across from him.

Vegeta looked up. "Can I help you?"

"Yes you can. I'm looking for a friend of mine named Goku. I was wondering if you've heard of him?" He didn't notice the subtle movements of the other man's eyes. They read over his badge, getting his name and police number.

Vegeta eyed the man next to the blonde. He had a strange choice of hair color. Green. He'd only seen one other person who looked remotely good looking with that hair color and it was his Ex Bulma but hers was had more blue.  This man . . . well . . . he looked horrible! It was braided in the back. Although the man was fairly good looking the hair ruined his looks. "I've heard of him before. But I don't know where he is. If  I find him I'll be sure to tell you."

"Please do that." He handed Vegeta a small card. "Call me immediately. It's very important." The man quickly turned.

"Why?" Vegeta saw the man stop and turn to face him.

"If you find him ask him. I'm sure he'll know what I'm talking about." The man smiled coldly at Vegeta and they both disappeared out the door and to a green truck. Vegeta frowned as he saw the dinted side. What the hell? He squinted his eyes. It couldn't be . . . He caught sight of the driver. A bald man. He remembered him. The man that had tried to kill Goku! He grabbed up his cell phone and his small address book. He scanned over the front page. He immediately saw the messy writing. He punched in the numbers and brought the phone to his ear.

~ ~ ~

The man continued to hold Goku's arm as they went down the stairs. As they got to the bottom they heard a ringing sound. They both sopped as they listened to the ring. It was  the phone. Goku's captor glanced at him, his eyes narrowed for a moment and he pushed Goku forward, and they kept moving until they got to the mustang that was parked in the driveway. The man jerked open the back door and took out a pair of handcuffs. He secured them around Goku's wrists and pushed him in the back.

"Don't move from this spot or," he pointed the gun at Goku's chest. Goku nodded. Then the man locked the doors and shut it behind himself. He disappeared into the house leaving Goku sitting in the car.

"Damn." He muttered, he didn't want to break his car's windows, but he had no choice.

Don't break the window and die

Or

Break the window and live.

The answer was obvious.

He laid down and scooted away so his feet could reach the window, his back was scrunched against the other side of the car. He was about to kick the door in when he nearly slapped himself for being such an idiot. He could just unlock the door. He smiled as a flicker of hope burned bright in his dark eyes. He moved up against the door and felt around for the lock. He found it and started to pull up.

A shadow appeared in the opposite window. "What do you think you're doing?" The man shouted. Goku's heart stopped and lost all hope as narrowed eyes stared at him. Oh shit! He opened his mouth to say something-anything- but no words escaped them. The keys jingled as the man unlocked the door and opened it. "Boss said he didn't want you dead yet, but if you caused any problems I was to deal with them however I deem necessary." A cruel smile drew across his lips. "Get out of the fucking car."

Goku stayed in place.

"Get the fuck out NOW!" Goku didn't move, he was too frightened, is body quit registering his thoughts that screamed, get the hell outta here! "Fine. I guess I'll just trash this nice car." The gun rose to Goku's thigh. The young man's eyes clenched shut as he waited for the agony to tear through his flesh.

BAM!

He flinched as something warm splashed across his face. His charcoal eyes pushed open and saw the man slump forward, crimson spewing from his mouth that was open in shook. Goku was as confused as the now dead man had been.

"Goku."

~ ~ ~

Fear rose in Vegeta's heart when no one answered the phone. Perhaps he wasn't home yet, but it's been almost an hour. The phone slipped back into his pocket as he sighed heavily. This is not good. He shrugged it off. He decided upon calling him when he got to work and if he wasn't there yet, he'd call later. He was alright. He could feel it in his gut. But there was a pang of unease. Those men caused it. They were suspicious of him. What if they knew that he was the one driving the cop car that shoved them into the center barrier? He was in deep shit! He took another drink of his coffee and quickly finished it. Stood up, tossed the Styrofoam cup into the trash and he headed towards his car. Ready for another day of giving tickets and arresting local punks. He scowled as he got into his car.

To be  continued . . .

Agent 182: hope you enjoyed it! Thanks for the reviews! As always those are much appreciated! ^_^ I should be updating sooner than last time! Sorry for the wait!