Last time:

"Can I get you or Trunks anything?"

"Yeah…" She couldn't help her smile. "Vegeta."

**************************************************

"No one thought to check Rikyu's house," 17 said, starring into his mug of tea. They were all there, all of Bulma and Vegeta's friends, and all of both their siblings; 17, 18, Krillin, Goku, Chi-Chi, Yamcha, Rikyu, Emiko, Roxy, and Hiroe; Sorai was on his way. "When we heard we called everyone we knew."

"It's alright," Bulma assured him, giving his shoulder a quick squeeze before grabbing Trunks' bottle and handing it to Vegeta. "What matters is that Trunks is back." She sighed, then looked to Rikyu. "I wish Nariko didn't have to be punished for this…"

"She's not, not really," Yamcha answered. "My mother agreed to have her stay at Furusawa Hospital."

"But isn't that-"

"Yeah," he sighed, leaning against the wall. "It's a mental institution…but she really does need the help. She's been so bitter and unstable since we-You know what I mean."

"Yeah. I'm sorry it had to be this way."

"Don't be. Everything should work out for the best."

Bulma took a seat beside Vegeta, absently putting her hand on his leg, which did not go unnoticed by the occupants of the room; but they said nothing.

"Look, you guys," Bulma said after a considerable silence. "I'm sorry I didn't call and tell any of you what was going on. But you have to underst-"

"Don't you dare say another word Bulma Briefs," Chi-Chi scolded, handing little Gohan to Goku, who took him graciously. She bent down in front of her longtime aqua-haired friend, grabbing the hand that wasn't on Vegeta's leg. "I would have done the same had my Gohan been taken from me. You did what you had to do and I wouldn't have wanted to get in the way of anything."

"Yeah, me neither," Goku added.

"And me," said 18.

"And me," Krillin piped up, having barely said a word since he arrived.

"Hey!" Everyone's eyes fell on Bulma at her sudden outburst. "When are you two gonna get married? I'm sick of waiting."

A ripple of laughter coursed through the kitchen.

"January first," Krillin said proudly, instinctively grabbing 18's hand and toying with her engagement ring. "Picked the date myself."

"Good choice. And I best be one of the bride's maids."

"No B," 18 said sarcastically. "I was gonna ask 'Geta to do it."

More laughter rang, though Vegeta alone seemed immune.

"Who wants cake!?" Mrs. Briefs voice rang through the kitchen as she set a huge blue-frosting cake on the table with flowing cursive writing that read: Welcome Home Trunks.

"When in Kami's name did you have time to make a cake, mom?" Shirosama blurted out, though was first to grab a knife and begin cutting it.

"I didn't, of course," she bubbled. "I had Sué make it." Sué was Capsule Corps.' personal chef, for office parties and such; Mrs. Briefs was always challenging her to cook-offs, which always resulted in big parties so the food didn't go to waste.

The group moved to the living room eventually, though there were so many people that extra chairs from the kitchen were brought in to accommodate everyone. Vegeta stayed in a far corner, cradling Trunks as Bulma took to entertaining everyone; she'd talk with Vegeta later, when everyone was gone.

At first Mrs. Briefs told story after story about Bulma as a baby and a toddler, including Vegeta where needed. Then she went on to some of Trunks' little outtakes, and finally she seemed exhausted from talking, which rarely happened, and now everyone talked in small groups.

Bulma was in mid-conversation with Emiko, something about Trunks, but she wasn't really listening, for Vegeta suddenly caught her eye; Roxy was sitting beside him, holding his hand and whispering in his ear; her face was solemn, like someone at a funeral, and Vegeta's was unchanged, though it still made Bulma's stomach turn. What if they got together? What if she never had another chance with him again?

No.

She shook her head to clear her mind. She didn't want another chance. She didn't want him back after what he did. She didn't want him…Right?

"Bulma, are you alright?" Emiko asked, touching her knee.

"Yeah," she said, focusing back on her little friend.

Soon, however, Rikyu came by and escorted Bulma into the kitchen to talk in private; Emiko didn't protest.

"Everything ok, Rikyu?" She took a seat at the kitchen table, a little worried at he still stood.

"Yeah, I'm fine, I just…I miss you like crazy is all. I just wanted a little time alone."

"I miss you too," she confessed, almost giving into her temptation to kiss him. No. That wouldn't do any good. "But-"

"I know, I know. We broke up and we're going to stay broken up…I just can't help but wonder though, you know?"

"Yes, I know," she laughed sadly. "Believe me, I know."

He looked at the floor suddenly, as if just realizing he'd been looking into her eyes the whole time.

"One night?" he whimpered, coming up and claiming her hands, then her lips with his lips. She gave in, wrapping her arms around his neck, pulling him closer. Kami how she wanted strong masculine arms around her right now, a strong man in her bed, loving her and only her.

But not him.

"Rikyu." She reluctantly pushed him away. "I can't do this…I…I'm sorry."

"I know," he sighed, defeated, taking a seat beside her. "You love Vegeta, and I have to learn to not love you."

"You'll find love, Rikyu. I know you will."

"I thought I already had it," he laughed, fighting some oncoming tears. "Well, I better get going. I have a big physics test tomorrow."

"Good night, Rikyu."

"Good night, Bulma."

She stay in the kitchen for some time after Rikyu left, simply starring at the wall, thinking over what had happened and then looping back to her son. Kami everything was so difficult, but weren't things starting to fall into place? Wasn't that the relief she was feeling? It wasn't just having her baby back, it was something else, she could feel it.

"B." It was 18, with Chi-Chi right behind her.

"Hmm?"

"Can we come in?"

"It's a kitchen, not a secret lab," she laughed.

"No, but you probably have one of those," Chi-Chi said, taking Rikyu's chair; 18 stood, she liked standing. A deep uneasy silence followed; Bulma shifted uncomfortably in her chair.

"What's up, guys?"

"Are you really ok, Bulma?" 18 asked, knitting her eyebrows. "We worry about you. Even before all this."

"How so?"

"Vegeta, of course," Chi-Chi sighed, leaning back. "You're in so much pain. We just can't watch anymore."

"You haven't been. You guys hogged tied me and made me listen to his story. That's hardly just sitting by and watching."

"You two belong together," she pleaded, grabbing her hands.

"No, we belongED together." She freed her hands and stood. "Not anymore."

"You're so stubborn Bulma Briefs!" 18 suddenly yelled, coming forward. "Love him damn it! He loves you!"

"Get out of my face, 18." There was nothing mean or hostile about her voice; she only meant it.

"Kami," she sighed, looking to Chi-Chi for help.

"Look B, we really just can't leave this alone. We love both of you too damn much. Just consider him again…"

"Yeah," 18 added. "Let him speak, let him tell you himself how he loves you, and then decide to leave things or not."

"I'm not promising anything," Bulma finally sighed, completely unprepared for the arms that suddenly snaked around her. "You two are insane."

"Yeah, but you love us."

**************************************************

Trunks lay asleep in his crib, his parents watching over him, simply admiring the beautiful child they created together. His little tuft of purple hair sprouted from his nightcap, like a wild plant that could never be controlled.

Bulma sighed, bending down to get a closer look at her son. It had been six hours since his return and she still couldn't peal her eyes away.

"I love you," she whispered, brushing the backs of her fingers along his motionless face. He didn't stir. "It's amazing that Nariko could have had him all night last night and no one found him."

Vegeta was silent; the only word he'd spoken since he'd arrived was, "Trunks."

"Well, I suppose it would be fairly easy to keep him there." She was over the initial shock of knowing it was Nariko. "Yamcha does have a big family, with a lot of little children running around." She sighed again and straightened up. "I'm just glad to have him back."

She looked at Vegeta suddenly, as if just realizing he was there. A wide, genuine smile crept across her face. She loved him, she couldn't deny it, and even though he'd cheated on her, she still wanted to hug him, and she did. When she released him, he was as still as ever.

"Say something Vegeta."

He glanced up at her, then his eyes quickly focused back on his son.

"Please."

He didn't respond.

"What's wrong?"

"I'm fine," he said finally, turning and heading for the door.

"Where're you going?"

"Home. I'm tired. I need some sleep for class tomorrow."

"You can stay here." There was something hopeful, yet completely sorrowful about her voice; she knew he wouldn't stay.

"Why would I do that?" He turned back to face her, though when his eyes found hers, quickly averted them. "Listen." He gripped the side of Trunks' crib. "There's only one way I'm staying here, and you know what it is. I've seen my son; I know he's safe and that I can see him tomorrow after class. I'm too tired to even keep my eyes open, and…" He groaned in the back of his throat; he didn't want to say what was on his mind, but forced it anyway. "…and I don't want to be around you right now."

His hand slipped from the crib and he turned to go.

"Why?" Her voice was trembling and she ignored her tears. She'd gone through too much trauma in that last two days to have things end this way between them.

"Because." He didn't face her. "Even when Trunks was gone, even when you thought you'd lost him forever, you wouldn't even kiss me." His voice was slowly rising. "The fear of losing your son completely has brought you closer to him, but…" He couldn't continue. No, it wouldn't make a difference. She was dead set on being apart from him.

"You think that if I was faced with losing you forever, if you were going to die for example, that I'd up and leave?"

He nodded.

"You're a bastard Vegeta," she spat, causing him to look up at her tear-stained face. "I left you because I was mad at you, not because I stopped loving you!" Her fists were clenched and shaking at her sides. "If you can't understand that then you're right, you should go home. But right now I need you, I need you in that bed!" She pointed frantically to her bed. "I need your arms around me, I need you to tell me that you love me and that if I take you back I am the only woman in your life!"

"You're lying," he snapped, though immediately regretted it, and knew that she was not. "Why would you do such a thing?"

"I already told you." A small weak smile spread across her lips. "I love you, I love you with all I have and I can't bare to be mad at you anymore."

"There's a catch."

Her smile formed into a smirk.

"Of course there's a catch. But I'll tell you in the morning."

She all but ran to him, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him into the most passionate kiss he could remember. Without seconds they were on the bed, Vegeta on top, tearing at Bulma's shirt.

"You're sure about this?" he gasped, finally pulling her shirt off.

"Did Hyata stabilize hypofusionarian energy?" (I just made something up :P)

He gave her a blank look.

"Yes," she breathed huskily. "It means yes."

He sat up suddenly and moved to the end of the bed.

"What?"

"You're vulnerable right now," he sighed, completely angry with himself for what he was about to do.

"No I'm not," she whimpered, grabbing for his wrist, but he was already to his feet. He handed her her discarded shirt.

"Listen. If you still want to have me tomorrow, then when I come to see Trunks, we'll be together then."

"But-"

"I'm not going to do this the wrong way, Bulma. If I have you again it's for keeps. I will not lose you again." It sounded like a demand more than anything, but she could feel the emotion in it. He loved her. "And we better wait 'til after the next play."

"What? But that's in a week!"

"Exactly." He gave her one of his famous all-knowing looks. "It gives you more time to consider this. I won't take you on a whim."

"It's not a whim though Vegeta."

"Yes, right now it's not, but it might have been in the morning if you changed your mind."

"This isn't fair. Its my choice, my rules!"

"These are your rules," he sighed. "Believe me. I do NOT want to wait a week to take you again. I've waited too long as it is, but…"

"I won't be here in a week. Your chance is tonight." She tried to sound convincing, but her resolve was fading.

"You'll want this time when you begin to realize what's going to happen."

"Will you tell me everything?" she asked, pulling her shirt back on, then grabbing up the sweater on her chair and pulling that on as well.

"Everything?"

"Yes. Everything. Everything I ask, will you tell me?"

He thought about it for a long moment, glancing at Trunks a few times.

"Yes," he sighed, defeated and broken. "Everything. Everything you want to hear."

"No, everything that's the truth. I don't want to hear poetry and pretty words, Vegeta. I want to hear your truth."

"Then you agree? In a week?"

"Yes, a week would be fine. I can't stop loving you in a week." She sighed heavily, joining him at the crib. "And I can wait a week to find out if you love me as well."

He was in the hall, almost out of earshot, when he turned back. He walked right up to her, an inch from her face, and said, "Roxy is nothing, I can live without Roxy. She was a fling when you left. I don't want her."

"And I don't want Rikyu."

He pulled her in for one last kiss before their week of absence. Both were reluctant to let go.

"I love you Vegeta," she whispered, his lips pressed to her forehead, tears already soaking her face.

"Bye."

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---Chapter 20!! Oh Kami! Oh Kami! Lookie what I did! :P Heehee. Well, as you can see, Bulma has something up her sleeve for Vegeta, but does he have something prepared for her? Oh I can't wait to do this! Weee! I've been planning it from the beginning! :D

REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Reviews=More Chapters)

Next time: Hmm, to tell or not to tell? NOT TO TELL! :P