Last time:
"Three minutes to landing," Vegeta said.
"Bring me strength," Furto mumbled, gripping Bulma's hand tighter.
*********************************************
Bulma leaned her head against Vegeta's chest, clinging to his arms that were wrapped around her waist, securing her so she didn't plunge to certain death. She trusted him. Furto hovered next to them, completely oblivious to the connection that they had shared, his eyes focused on the building that moved in front of them as they ascended to the roof of the palace.
When they finally landed, Vegeta was a little reluctant to let go, holding Bulma to him for just a moment. Once released she went to Furto and grabbed his shoulders.
"That's her chamber window," Furto said, his voice distant and weak, as he pointing to a floor length window one roof over; right now they were outside a hall window, lights out, complete silence.
"Do you want me to go first, and explain everything?" Bulma asked, looking to the window. It was unbearable to see the look on his face. "I could tell her-"
"No," he sighed. "Let Vegeta go first. She's the only one he'll talk to right now."
"Me? Why would she speak with me as opposed to you?"
"Because she's a lot like you are…now."
Vegeta rolled his eyes, angry with himself for coming back here, but advanced towards the window. He hopped forward and slid down the roof, coming to a rooftop garden. Bulma didn't see why he didn't just fly over, but figured he had his own reasons.
Suddenly Furto turned sharply to Bulma, eyes wide and a bit confused.
"You bedded with him, didn't you, Miss?" He asked with such innocence, there was no chance she could pull off a lie.
"Yes, I did."
"I thought-"
"That was before I was going to die."
"But you are not. The Elpinosus is nearly complete. Your cure will be palpable in but two weeks."
"Vegeta told me what you said, and I'm fine with it," she sighed, knowing now that she really was fine with dying, but only just realizing it when the words left her mouth. "I had what I wanted." She smiled, her eyes misting with happy tears. "I had Vegeta," she whispered to herself, catching a glimpse of him just as he entered Jemalin's chambers.
********************************************************
Vegeta slowly, silently, crept through the shadowed room, holding in his breath so not to make a sound. There she lie, slumbering quietly on a bed of silk and wild animal furs, her face solemn and almost lonely. Without wasting a moment, he pounced on her, clamping a hand over her mouth, his body holding her down.
But she didn't scream, didn't struggle, simply opened her eyes to see who had woken her. When she found it was not her mother, or some servant, her expression didn't change. If anything she grew happier, her eyes softening as she peered intently into Vegeta's.
"Why aren't you afraid?" he asked, removing his hand from her mouth.
"Because," she whispered, a broad smile etched in her features. "I'm to die by your hand, mystery assassin. I've been waiting for such a night for two years, sir. Kill me quickly, I can't wait another moment."
He climbed off her and stood, dumbstruck at her words. She sat up, squinting her eyes in what little light was there to see Vegeta's face. When she realized it was Vegeta, the Saiyan Prince, her smile broadened.
"I never thought I'd be so lucky to die at the hands of the legendary Saiyan Prince Vegeta. What an honor."
"How can you not know why I'm here, Princess?"
"Please, kill me."
"No."
"No?" she spat, throwing back her coverings. "No? How dare you! You came here to kill me, now kill me! I cannot breathe another breath! I long to die!"
"Woman," he sighed, sitting in her vanity chair. "Is there no light you can make?"
She pressed a button on the wall behind her and a great light burst from a panel above her bed. Even with mussed hair and a simple nightdress she was breath taking.
"Why do you wish to die? Are you insane?"
"I've lost everything, Vegeta. Yes, I am insane."
"If you want to die, then why were you so adamant on being released when I held you against your will the last time I was here?"
"Because, I did not think your intension was to kill me. You wanted fear, but I wanted respect more. I'm a Princess, Saiyan, I demand what any Princess demands."
"Furto is here," he said, catching her off guard.
"He is nothing to me. I've forgotten him. Leave if you will not kill me."
"You have not forgotten him. You lie!"
"I have, and he is not here! Do not mock me!"
Vegeta threw up his hands in fury and went out the window, onto the roof. When he reached Bulma and Furto again he was fuming.
"She's impossible," he huffed.
"What did she say?" Bulma asked, watching the silhouette of Jemalin in the window.
"She says she wishes to die and that she's forgotten Furto."
"Then we will go. I'm sorry to have inconvenienced you, Vegeta," Furto sighed, hanging his head. "I knew she did not love me anymore."
"Like hell she's forgotten you!" Bulma yelled, grabbing his wrist and puling him down the roof, the same way Vegeta had gone. "I'm going to pound some sense into her pretty little Princess crown!"
She dragged him through the window, startled to find Jemalin standing on her vanity table, ready with a noose in her hands, hanging from the ceiling. She meant to kill herself.
"Jemalin," Furto gasped.
"Jemalin, what're you doing?"
"If that coward Prince will not take my life then I mean to do it myself! I cannot live another day!"
Bulma rushed to her, toppling her over and onto the bed, where she held her down by her wrists. She struggled for a moment, then was still as she'd been with Vegeta, who just happened to enter the room at that moment. He stayed by the window next to Furto, who cried silently into his hands.
"You are coming with us!" Bulma yelled. "You are coming onto our ship and to Fewskm with us and then you and Furto are going to take refuge on some planet far from here and you're going to be happy and have children and live a long life together! You got that!?"
Jemalin only starred coldly up at her.
"Answer me."
"You dare stop me from what I meant to do?"
"Tell me Jemalin, why are you so unhappy? What's brought you to this point in your life?"
"My mother. Who else?"
"Why?"
"Because she's an evil woman. Now unhand me and let me die!"
"I don't think that's it, Princess. I know your past. I know you loved Furto once for years, and that he was taken from you abruptly! He has NEVER gone a single day without thinking of you! How can you have forgotten him?"
"If I knew what you were talking about I'd tell you, wouldn't I?"
"Come here." She pulled her off the bed, pushed her towards Furto and held her right in front of him by the backs of her shoulders. "Look into his eyes and tell him you don't remember him. Tell him you don't love him."
"This is preposterous!"
"Just do it!"
She growled angrily, then turned and faced Furto, startled as his eyes pierced hers so violently. He was beyond angry, but when he saw her face in the light, immediately melted and grabbed her hand.
"Please Jemalin, my darling Jemalin, remember me. Remember when we planned to run off together, planned to forget your mother and all that had taken place here." He grabbed up her other hand, bringing them both to his lips, kissing them tenderly. She flinched, but didn't move. "Remember my touch. Remember how I loved you, and still do, and how I'd die for you if faced with the opportunity."
"Your soft words mean nothing to me. I'm cold as stone. I cannot be broken."
"Even stones can be broken. Look at me Jemalin. Look at me the way you did two years ago when you told me you wanted to leave Doon and be only with me." He dropped her hands and suddenly grabbed her shoulders, shaking her. "I know you're in there Jemalin! I can see you trying to come through! Please, please, PLEASE, remember me!"
She opened her mouth to say something, but instead her lips quivered and she dropped to her knees.
"Oh Furto," she cried. "I'm so sorry. I'm a fool. I-"
"It's over now," he whispered, gathering her in his arms.
"I didn't mean to forget you. I didn't want to! I tried to keep you with me always, but-"
"I understand, my love. You knowing me now is all I care about. Will you come with me, wherever I go?"
"Yes," she gasped, tears blurring her eyes. "I will come with you Furto. I love you Furto. Furto, my Furto."
************************************************************
Jemalin clung to Furto's shoulders, kissing his cheek wildly, completely unconcerned about the three-dozen guards that were following the four as they flew towards the ship. Bulma was on Vegeta's back, making it easier for him to shoot at the guards that were shooting at them.
"Damn you Princess," Vegeta hissed, as one of the guards got a good shot on his arm. He dropped some four feet from initial shock, then fired back, knocking half a dozen guards from the air. "Figures you're the reason they're following us." But Jemalin was in such a swollen state of euphoria that Vegeta's words didn't even reach her ears.
By the time they reached the ship only a handful of guards remained and were still firing as the doors hissed shut. Once inside Vegeta bolted to the control room and set the ship to launch. They barely had time to strap themselves in before the ship left the ground.
"Thank you, Vegeta," Furto said, not letting go of Jemalin's hand even though they were seated too far apart and the pressure of take off was probably bruising his arm.
"What about the royals?" Bulma asked when they were free to unstrap themselves. "Won't they know who took her and where to find them? Vegeta, you can't let them be parted again!"
"Woman," he sighed, shaking his head. "Do you think I'd go to all this trouble to have them taken away again? I will protect them with my life." His voice held such honor and commitment that it utterly lacked compassion or any such feeling.
"How's your arm?" She stepped forward and he stepped back. What was this distance now? "Can I see it?"
"It's fine. I'll take care of it."
"Let me rephrase." She grabbed the wrist of the arm that was wounded. He winced slightly, though she didn't catch it. "Vegeta, I am going to tend to your wound whether you want me to or not. Ah, ah, ah. No. Don't open your mouth. You've stopped my Eskes innumerable times. It's time I paid my debts."
He loosened his tense shoulders and back, and allowed her to lead him into the bathroom. She gently pushed him onto the closed toilet seat, then went to find antiseptic and bandages in the cabinet.
"Can we talk about consequences now?" she asked, kneeling down in front of him and taking his arm to dab it with cotton balls soaked in alcohol.
"Consequences?"
"About last night, I mean."
"I'm listening."
"Look. I'm just going to say exactly what I'm thinking, otherwise I'll kick myself for it later."
"Kick yourself?"
"Never mind. Anyway-" She tossed the cotton ball in the trash and grabbed a new one. "-you know that I love you Vegeta, that during this trip I've somehow fallen for you and there's no turning back. I already promised I wouldn't push love, and I'm not. What I do want is passion. Can I have that? Or was last night just the one night?"
He didn't answer, but pondered her words as she dressed his wound then sat back on her heels and awaited the verdict.
"No," he finally said, pretending to be checking his bandage.
"Why?"
"Because," he sighed, obviously not wishing to get into detail and just go to sleep. He was more tired than he realized. "I'm not risking accidentally mating with you when you're not willing to be my mate. That would be dishonorable and cowardly. I cannot put myself in a situation where that's a likely possibility."
"What do you mean by accidental mating?"
"My instincts could be trigger at any moment and bond us forever. And since you've already voiced that you do not wish to bond, then I have to refuse this offer, as difficult as it is. I will not be dishonored."
"Fair enough. Good night Vegeta." She stood and kissed his forehead once, then left.
*********************************************************
Bulma sat at the kitchen table, tapping her mug of tea with her fingers as she starred off, thinking of all that had taken place. It wasn't the first time she'd done this, but there was so much more to reflect on now; Uvagon and the others on Excaro, bedding with Vegeta, rescuing Jemalin. She just needed this time right now to think of those things and ponder how they'll change everything in her life overall.
"I miss Uvagon," she sighed, taking a sip of her tea and frowning when she found it had gone cold while she was thinking. Oh well, she wasn't really that thirsty anyway, just a little chilly.
Furto and Jemalin were in his room, and had been for the past four days, just talking and talking, while Furto continued with the Elpinosus. She imaged they had loads to discuss. After all, they had been apart for two years, and there was the fact of explaining what was going on.
Her thoughts eventually drifted to Vegeta, inevitably. She couldn't believe herself, asking him to be bed-buddies. How could she? She knew in the back of her mind that it never would have satisfied her, that there would always be that nagging voice telling her that he didn't love her. She was thankful that Vegeta had the strength to say no when she offered. She knew she would have been too weak for him to deny such an offer had he proposed it. That's what had happened with the mating, had it not? She'd dove in head first, blindly, and swallowed a lung-full of pain in the process. She'd been so happy that he was taking notice in her, that he wanted to spend his life with her, that she'd completely forgotten to ask him simply if he loved her. The blow that came later had been too much for her; the bed partner offer had been a last ditch effort for comfort that she needed.
Suddenly Furto's bedroom door opened and Jemalin came out, shutting it behind her, leaving Furto inside. Bulma hadn't noticed how beautiful she was until just now, with her big soft green eyes and long, slightly wavy, chocolate hair. The dress she wore was simple, a floor-length gown of violet silk with long belled sleeves. She'd grabbed a few things before leaving, a small sack of clothes that she'd just stuffed blindly, not caring what she grabbed.
"Hello Bulma," she said sweetly, giving a timid smile. "May I join you?"
"Sure." She was a bit confused that she needed to ask, but figured it was remaining royal etiquette. "What's Furto up to?"
"He's just working on your cure. He's so clever and noble."
"Ok, but why aren't you in there with him?" She didn't mean to sound rude, but she hadn't seen Jemalin's face since her and Furto had disappeared into his room four days earlier. Her only company had been the Rymrons, but they slept far too often for her to appreciate their company. She was going to miss them too. "Sorry, I didn't mean to pry."
"No, it's quite alright. Actually, I came out here to discuss something with you. I asked Furto and he said it would be a good idea for me to tell you this."
"Tell me what? Something about the Elpinosus or Denj-sa? Do you know something he doesn't know? Am I going to die sooner than he thought?"
"No, no, nothing like that. Forgive me for startling you. What're you drinking?"
"Umm, only tea. Would you like some?"
"Yes, I'll get it myself though. I need to learn not to be a Princess sooner or later."
"You're so much different than I remember you. Furto's really done a number on your attitude, if you don't mind me saying."
"No, not at all," she laughed, pouring the steaming liquid into a mug, then grabbing up a tea bag and immersing it in the water; she'd seen Furto do it for her before. "It's a compliment, let me assure you. I've been so hard and cold for so long that hearing someone tell me I've come around is more than I could ask for. And yes, it was Furto who brought me back up." She took her seat again at the table, setting the mug aside to cool. "I'd almost forgotten what the real me was like. I was rock bottom before you three showed up and rescued me."
"Hey, it was all Vegeta's idea, if you can believe that."
"Vegeta?"
"Yes."
"Prince Vegeta?"
"Yes?"
"The Saiyan?"
"Yes," Bulma laughed.
"The very Saiyan that's in his little control room at this very moment?"
"Yes, the one and only."
"Sorry, it's just so hard to believe. Vegeta actually doing a good deed. I'm speechless."
"So was I. Now, what did you want to tell me?" She'd held out for five minutes, sitting on pins and needles, wondering what in Kami's name she could need to tell her.
"Well, now, forgive me for prying, but I can't help it after hearing your dilemma from Furto. Now when he told me you two weren't mates I was shocked, but only for a moment, because Vegeta himself had told me that you were. He explained that Vegeta said this to ward off my bumbling hormone-driven big brother. After hearing the whole story, of the mating proposal and such, I realized how awfully familiar it all was to me." She grabbed the edges of the table suddenly, as if so excited that she needed to hold herself in place otherwise she'd jump up and dance or something. "I realized that Vegeta and I are so very similar, well, at least we were, until Furto came to my aid."
"How so, similar? No offense but, you were a mean person when I first met you, but you were no where near the cruelness that Vegeta is."
"Oh yes, I know this, but I was referring to our reluctance to admit love. You obviously know how I acted when confronted with Furto again, of seeing him and being an utter imbecile. I saw him and wanted to grab him and kiss him all over, but there was something deep inside me that was pulling me back, and making me say those horrible words. I know now that it was fear of losing my love again that shied me away at first. I was so terrified of facing him and being bombarded with past memories, that I shut him out and denied even remembering it."
"Jemalin," Bulma interrupted, touching her hand. "What does this have to do with Vegeta?"
"Everything," she insisted, furrowing her brow slightly. "He is acting just as I was, though his fear goes farther back than mine. He's had to live with hurt and disappointment all his life. If he admits his love for you and you abandon him then it'll only prove his worst fears, and he cannot fathom what he'd do if such a thing happened."
"Abandon him? What're you talking about? I would never abandon him." She was far too into her words to realize that she was almost screaming. "I love him with everything I have, why would I do that?"
"Well then maybe it's that he has trust issues, or simply fears losing you. If he never has you to begin with then he thinks he cannot lose you."
"But he offered to mate! You're not making any sense."
"Just mating holds nothing for him, save for his instincts. He cannot have you unless he has you completely, body, soul, and mind, and vise versa. You would have his body and his mind, but love holds his soul. If he doesn't tell you he loves you then you won't have his soul and he will feel safe. What he doesn't realize is if he does lose you, if you die from this disease or my some other fate, then he will be hurt tenfold for never admitting his true feelings for you."
Bulma crossed her arms and glared angrily at Jemalin. She didn't believe that she was telling her the truth, but setting her up to get hurt, the way the Princess would surely have done as her past self. If Bulma believed her words she'd run into Vegeta's arms and demand they mate.
"I don't believe you. You're wrong. You cannot be right! And I cannot have him unless he loves me! And he does not! Do you hear me!? He doesn't love me and he never will! I'm past begging him to try! So stop with your lies and false promises! It's not going to work! Just leave me alone!"
She ran from the table and slammed her bedroom door. Jemalin took a slow sip of her tea, too saddened to taste it. A moment later Vegeta entered the kitchen, glaring at her.
"Why do you try to get her hopes up like that, Princess?"
"I was telling her the truth, and you know it."
"I will not have you hurt her like that," he snapped, turning back to the control room. "Now go back to your Fewsk and leave her be."
"Is that compassion, Saiyan?" she hissed, coming up two feet behind him. "It certainly was when you offered to retrieve me, and it appears that way now. If you care for her so much, if you want her, and only her, if you can admit all that, then why not that you love her? What's stopping you? What are you risking, other than letting her die thinking that you don't love her?"
He didn't answer, but he didn't leave.
"As I thought."
"You know nothing about me, Doon. Do not presume because you think you know what I am like. You may have developed a snotty attitude in grieving for Furto, but you can NEVER know what it's like to be ME!"
"Look me in the eyes and tell me you don't love her."
He turned around and starred coldly into her eyes.
"Say it."
"I. Don't. Love. Her," he hissed, clenching his teeth and separating each word so she heard him.
"You're strong Vegeta," she sighed, turning to head back to Furto. "But even you can be broken."
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---Chapter 26!! Now why, oh why, does he have to do that? What a jerk, huh? But Jemalin knows how he is, and she's not going to give up on him that easily. Hmm, I wonder what she has in store.
REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Reviews=More Chapters)
Next time: Return to Fewskm…
"Three minutes to landing," Vegeta said.
"Bring me strength," Furto mumbled, gripping Bulma's hand tighter.
*********************************************
Bulma leaned her head against Vegeta's chest, clinging to his arms that were wrapped around her waist, securing her so she didn't plunge to certain death. She trusted him. Furto hovered next to them, completely oblivious to the connection that they had shared, his eyes focused on the building that moved in front of them as they ascended to the roof of the palace.
When they finally landed, Vegeta was a little reluctant to let go, holding Bulma to him for just a moment. Once released she went to Furto and grabbed his shoulders.
"That's her chamber window," Furto said, his voice distant and weak, as he pointing to a floor length window one roof over; right now they were outside a hall window, lights out, complete silence.
"Do you want me to go first, and explain everything?" Bulma asked, looking to the window. It was unbearable to see the look on his face. "I could tell her-"
"No," he sighed. "Let Vegeta go first. She's the only one he'll talk to right now."
"Me? Why would she speak with me as opposed to you?"
"Because she's a lot like you are…now."
Vegeta rolled his eyes, angry with himself for coming back here, but advanced towards the window. He hopped forward and slid down the roof, coming to a rooftop garden. Bulma didn't see why he didn't just fly over, but figured he had his own reasons.
Suddenly Furto turned sharply to Bulma, eyes wide and a bit confused.
"You bedded with him, didn't you, Miss?" He asked with such innocence, there was no chance she could pull off a lie.
"Yes, I did."
"I thought-"
"That was before I was going to die."
"But you are not. The Elpinosus is nearly complete. Your cure will be palpable in but two weeks."
"Vegeta told me what you said, and I'm fine with it," she sighed, knowing now that she really was fine with dying, but only just realizing it when the words left her mouth. "I had what I wanted." She smiled, her eyes misting with happy tears. "I had Vegeta," she whispered to herself, catching a glimpse of him just as he entered Jemalin's chambers.
********************************************************
Vegeta slowly, silently, crept through the shadowed room, holding in his breath so not to make a sound. There she lie, slumbering quietly on a bed of silk and wild animal furs, her face solemn and almost lonely. Without wasting a moment, he pounced on her, clamping a hand over her mouth, his body holding her down.
But she didn't scream, didn't struggle, simply opened her eyes to see who had woken her. When she found it was not her mother, or some servant, her expression didn't change. If anything she grew happier, her eyes softening as she peered intently into Vegeta's.
"Why aren't you afraid?" he asked, removing his hand from her mouth.
"Because," she whispered, a broad smile etched in her features. "I'm to die by your hand, mystery assassin. I've been waiting for such a night for two years, sir. Kill me quickly, I can't wait another moment."
He climbed off her and stood, dumbstruck at her words. She sat up, squinting her eyes in what little light was there to see Vegeta's face. When she realized it was Vegeta, the Saiyan Prince, her smile broadened.
"I never thought I'd be so lucky to die at the hands of the legendary Saiyan Prince Vegeta. What an honor."
"How can you not know why I'm here, Princess?"
"Please, kill me."
"No."
"No?" she spat, throwing back her coverings. "No? How dare you! You came here to kill me, now kill me! I cannot breathe another breath! I long to die!"
"Woman," he sighed, sitting in her vanity chair. "Is there no light you can make?"
She pressed a button on the wall behind her and a great light burst from a panel above her bed. Even with mussed hair and a simple nightdress she was breath taking.
"Why do you wish to die? Are you insane?"
"I've lost everything, Vegeta. Yes, I am insane."
"If you want to die, then why were you so adamant on being released when I held you against your will the last time I was here?"
"Because, I did not think your intension was to kill me. You wanted fear, but I wanted respect more. I'm a Princess, Saiyan, I demand what any Princess demands."
"Furto is here," he said, catching her off guard.
"He is nothing to me. I've forgotten him. Leave if you will not kill me."
"You have not forgotten him. You lie!"
"I have, and he is not here! Do not mock me!"
Vegeta threw up his hands in fury and went out the window, onto the roof. When he reached Bulma and Furto again he was fuming.
"She's impossible," he huffed.
"What did she say?" Bulma asked, watching the silhouette of Jemalin in the window.
"She says she wishes to die and that she's forgotten Furto."
"Then we will go. I'm sorry to have inconvenienced you, Vegeta," Furto sighed, hanging his head. "I knew she did not love me anymore."
"Like hell she's forgotten you!" Bulma yelled, grabbing his wrist and puling him down the roof, the same way Vegeta had gone. "I'm going to pound some sense into her pretty little Princess crown!"
She dragged him through the window, startled to find Jemalin standing on her vanity table, ready with a noose in her hands, hanging from the ceiling. She meant to kill herself.
"Jemalin," Furto gasped.
"Jemalin, what're you doing?"
"If that coward Prince will not take my life then I mean to do it myself! I cannot live another day!"
Bulma rushed to her, toppling her over and onto the bed, where she held her down by her wrists. She struggled for a moment, then was still as she'd been with Vegeta, who just happened to enter the room at that moment. He stayed by the window next to Furto, who cried silently into his hands.
"You are coming with us!" Bulma yelled. "You are coming onto our ship and to Fewskm with us and then you and Furto are going to take refuge on some planet far from here and you're going to be happy and have children and live a long life together! You got that!?"
Jemalin only starred coldly up at her.
"Answer me."
"You dare stop me from what I meant to do?"
"Tell me Jemalin, why are you so unhappy? What's brought you to this point in your life?"
"My mother. Who else?"
"Why?"
"Because she's an evil woman. Now unhand me and let me die!"
"I don't think that's it, Princess. I know your past. I know you loved Furto once for years, and that he was taken from you abruptly! He has NEVER gone a single day without thinking of you! How can you have forgotten him?"
"If I knew what you were talking about I'd tell you, wouldn't I?"
"Come here." She pulled her off the bed, pushed her towards Furto and held her right in front of him by the backs of her shoulders. "Look into his eyes and tell him you don't remember him. Tell him you don't love him."
"This is preposterous!"
"Just do it!"
She growled angrily, then turned and faced Furto, startled as his eyes pierced hers so violently. He was beyond angry, but when he saw her face in the light, immediately melted and grabbed her hand.
"Please Jemalin, my darling Jemalin, remember me. Remember when we planned to run off together, planned to forget your mother and all that had taken place here." He grabbed up her other hand, bringing them both to his lips, kissing them tenderly. She flinched, but didn't move. "Remember my touch. Remember how I loved you, and still do, and how I'd die for you if faced with the opportunity."
"Your soft words mean nothing to me. I'm cold as stone. I cannot be broken."
"Even stones can be broken. Look at me Jemalin. Look at me the way you did two years ago when you told me you wanted to leave Doon and be only with me." He dropped her hands and suddenly grabbed her shoulders, shaking her. "I know you're in there Jemalin! I can see you trying to come through! Please, please, PLEASE, remember me!"
She opened her mouth to say something, but instead her lips quivered and she dropped to her knees.
"Oh Furto," she cried. "I'm so sorry. I'm a fool. I-"
"It's over now," he whispered, gathering her in his arms.
"I didn't mean to forget you. I didn't want to! I tried to keep you with me always, but-"
"I understand, my love. You knowing me now is all I care about. Will you come with me, wherever I go?"
"Yes," she gasped, tears blurring her eyes. "I will come with you Furto. I love you Furto. Furto, my Furto."
************************************************************
Jemalin clung to Furto's shoulders, kissing his cheek wildly, completely unconcerned about the three-dozen guards that were following the four as they flew towards the ship. Bulma was on Vegeta's back, making it easier for him to shoot at the guards that were shooting at them.
"Damn you Princess," Vegeta hissed, as one of the guards got a good shot on his arm. He dropped some four feet from initial shock, then fired back, knocking half a dozen guards from the air. "Figures you're the reason they're following us." But Jemalin was in such a swollen state of euphoria that Vegeta's words didn't even reach her ears.
By the time they reached the ship only a handful of guards remained and were still firing as the doors hissed shut. Once inside Vegeta bolted to the control room and set the ship to launch. They barely had time to strap themselves in before the ship left the ground.
"Thank you, Vegeta," Furto said, not letting go of Jemalin's hand even though they were seated too far apart and the pressure of take off was probably bruising his arm.
"What about the royals?" Bulma asked when they were free to unstrap themselves. "Won't they know who took her and where to find them? Vegeta, you can't let them be parted again!"
"Woman," he sighed, shaking his head. "Do you think I'd go to all this trouble to have them taken away again? I will protect them with my life." His voice held such honor and commitment that it utterly lacked compassion or any such feeling.
"How's your arm?" She stepped forward and he stepped back. What was this distance now? "Can I see it?"
"It's fine. I'll take care of it."
"Let me rephrase." She grabbed the wrist of the arm that was wounded. He winced slightly, though she didn't catch it. "Vegeta, I am going to tend to your wound whether you want me to or not. Ah, ah, ah. No. Don't open your mouth. You've stopped my Eskes innumerable times. It's time I paid my debts."
He loosened his tense shoulders and back, and allowed her to lead him into the bathroom. She gently pushed him onto the closed toilet seat, then went to find antiseptic and bandages in the cabinet.
"Can we talk about consequences now?" she asked, kneeling down in front of him and taking his arm to dab it with cotton balls soaked in alcohol.
"Consequences?"
"About last night, I mean."
"I'm listening."
"Look. I'm just going to say exactly what I'm thinking, otherwise I'll kick myself for it later."
"Kick yourself?"
"Never mind. Anyway-" She tossed the cotton ball in the trash and grabbed a new one. "-you know that I love you Vegeta, that during this trip I've somehow fallen for you and there's no turning back. I already promised I wouldn't push love, and I'm not. What I do want is passion. Can I have that? Or was last night just the one night?"
He didn't answer, but pondered her words as she dressed his wound then sat back on her heels and awaited the verdict.
"No," he finally said, pretending to be checking his bandage.
"Why?"
"Because," he sighed, obviously not wishing to get into detail and just go to sleep. He was more tired than he realized. "I'm not risking accidentally mating with you when you're not willing to be my mate. That would be dishonorable and cowardly. I cannot put myself in a situation where that's a likely possibility."
"What do you mean by accidental mating?"
"My instincts could be trigger at any moment and bond us forever. And since you've already voiced that you do not wish to bond, then I have to refuse this offer, as difficult as it is. I will not be dishonored."
"Fair enough. Good night Vegeta." She stood and kissed his forehead once, then left.
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Bulma sat at the kitchen table, tapping her mug of tea with her fingers as she starred off, thinking of all that had taken place. It wasn't the first time she'd done this, but there was so much more to reflect on now; Uvagon and the others on Excaro, bedding with Vegeta, rescuing Jemalin. She just needed this time right now to think of those things and ponder how they'll change everything in her life overall.
"I miss Uvagon," she sighed, taking a sip of her tea and frowning when she found it had gone cold while she was thinking. Oh well, she wasn't really that thirsty anyway, just a little chilly.
Furto and Jemalin were in his room, and had been for the past four days, just talking and talking, while Furto continued with the Elpinosus. She imaged they had loads to discuss. After all, they had been apart for two years, and there was the fact of explaining what was going on.
Her thoughts eventually drifted to Vegeta, inevitably. She couldn't believe herself, asking him to be bed-buddies. How could she? She knew in the back of her mind that it never would have satisfied her, that there would always be that nagging voice telling her that he didn't love her. She was thankful that Vegeta had the strength to say no when she offered. She knew she would have been too weak for him to deny such an offer had he proposed it. That's what had happened with the mating, had it not? She'd dove in head first, blindly, and swallowed a lung-full of pain in the process. She'd been so happy that he was taking notice in her, that he wanted to spend his life with her, that she'd completely forgotten to ask him simply if he loved her. The blow that came later had been too much for her; the bed partner offer had been a last ditch effort for comfort that she needed.
Suddenly Furto's bedroom door opened and Jemalin came out, shutting it behind her, leaving Furto inside. Bulma hadn't noticed how beautiful she was until just now, with her big soft green eyes and long, slightly wavy, chocolate hair. The dress she wore was simple, a floor-length gown of violet silk with long belled sleeves. She'd grabbed a few things before leaving, a small sack of clothes that she'd just stuffed blindly, not caring what she grabbed.
"Hello Bulma," she said sweetly, giving a timid smile. "May I join you?"
"Sure." She was a bit confused that she needed to ask, but figured it was remaining royal etiquette. "What's Furto up to?"
"He's just working on your cure. He's so clever and noble."
"Ok, but why aren't you in there with him?" She didn't mean to sound rude, but she hadn't seen Jemalin's face since her and Furto had disappeared into his room four days earlier. Her only company had been the Rymrons, but they slept far too often for her to appreciate their company. She was going to miss them too. "Sorry, I didn't mean to pry."
"No, it's quite alright. Actually, I came out here to discuss something with you. I asked Furto and he said it would be a good idea for me to tell you this."
"Tell me what? Something about the Elpinosus or Denj-sa? Do you know something he doesn't know? Am I going to die sooner than he thought?"
"No, no, nothing like that. Forgive me for startling you. What're you drinking?"
"Umm, only tea. Would you like some?"
"Yes, I'll get it myself though. I need to learn not to be a Princess sooner or later."
"You're so much different than I remember you. Furto's really done a number on your attitude, if you don't mind me saying."
"No, not at all," she laughed, pouring the steaming liquid into a mug, then grabbing up a tea bag and immersing it in the water; she'd seen Furto do it for her before. "It's a compliment, let me assure you. I've been so hard and cold for so long that hearing someone tell me I've come around is more than I could ask for. And yes, it was Furto who brought me back up." She took her seat again at the table, setting the mug aside to cool. "I'd almost forgotten what the real me was like. I was rock bottom before you three showed up and rescued me."
"Hey, it was all Vegeta's idea, if you can believe that."
"Vegeta?"
"Yes."
"Prince Vegeta?"
"Yes?"
"The Saiyan?"
"Yes," Bulma laughed.
"The very Saiyan that's in his little control room at this very moment?"
"Yes, the one and only."
"Sorry, it's just so hard to believe. Vegeta actually doing a good deed. I'm speechless."
"So was I. Now, what did you want to tell me?" She'd held out for five minutes, sitting on pins and needles, wondering what in Kami's name she could need to tell her.
"Well, now, forgive me for prying, but I can't help it after hearing your dilemma from Furto. Now when he told me you two weren't mates I was shocked, but only for a moment, because Vegeta himself had told me that you were. He explained that Vegeta said this to ward off my bumbling hormone-driven big brother. After hearing the whole story, of the mating proposal and such, I realized how awfully familiar it all was to me." She grabbed the edges of the table suddenly, as if so excited that she needed to hold herself in place otherwise she'd jump up and dance or something. "I realized that Vegeta and I are so very similar, well, at least we were, until Furto came to my aid."
"How so, similar? No offense but, you were a mean person when I first met you, but you were no where near the cruelness that Vegeta is."
"Oh yes, I know this, but I was referring to our reluctance to admit love. You obviously know how I acted when confronted with Furto again, of seeing him and being an utter imbecile. I saw him and wanted to grab him and kiss him all over, but there was something deep inside me that was pulling me back, and making me say those horrible words. I know now that it was fear of losing my love again that shied me away at first. I was so terrified of facing him and being bombarded with past memories, that I shut him out and denied even remembering it."
"Jemalin," Bulma interrupted, touching her hand. "What does this have to do with Vegeta?"
"Everything," she insisted, furrowing her brow slightly. "He is acting just as I was, though his fear goes farther back than mine. He's had to live with hurt and disappointment all his life. If he admits his love for you and you abandon him then it'll only prove his worst fears, and he cannot fathom what he'd do if such a thing happened."
"Abandon him? What're you talking about? I would never abandon him." She was far too into her words to realize that she was almost screaming. "I love him with everything I have, why would I do that?"
"Well then maybe it's that he has trust issues, or simply fears losing you. If he never has you to begin with then he thinks he cannot lose you."
"But he offered to mate! You're not making any sense."
"Just mating holds nothing for him, save for his instincts. He cannot have you unless he has you completely, body, soul, and mind, and vise versa. You would have his body and his mind, but love holds his soul. If he doesn't tell you he loves you then you won't have his soul and he will feel safe. What he doesn't realize is if he does lose you, if you die from this disease or my some other fate, then he will be hurt tenfold for never admitting his true feelings for you."
Bulma crossed her arms and glared angrily at Jemalin. She didn't believe that she was telling her the truth, but setting her up to get hurt, the way the Princess would surely have done as her past self. If Bulma believed her words she'd run into Vegeta's arms and demand they mate.
"I don't believe you. You're wrong. You cannot be right! And I cannot have him unless he loves me! And he does not! Do you hear me!? He doesn't love me and he never will! I'm past begging him to try! So stop with your lies and false promises! It's not going to work! Just leave me alone!"
She ran from the table and slammed her bedroom door. Jemalin took a slow sip of her tea, too saddened to taste it. A moment later Vegeta entered the kitchen, glaring at her.
"Why do you try to get her hopes up like that, Princess?"
"I was telling her the truth, and you know it."
"I will not have you hurt her like that," he snapped, turning back to the control room. "Now go back to your Fewsk and leave her be."
"Is that compassion, Saiyan?" she hissed, coming up two feet behind him. "It certainly was when you offered to retrieve me, and it appears that way now. If you care for her so much, if you want her, and only her, if you can admit all that, then why not that you love her? What's stopping you? What are you risking, other than letting her die thinking that you don't love her?"
He didn't answer, but he didn't leave.
"As I thought."
"You know nothing about me, Doon. Do not presume because you think you know what I am like. You may have developed a snotty attitude in grieving for Furto, but you can NEVER know what it's like to be ME!"
"Look me in the eyes and tell me you don't love her."
He turned around and starred coldly into her eyes.
"Say it."
"I. Don't. Love. Her," he hissed, clenching his teeth and separating each word so she heard him.
"You're strong Vegeta," she sighed, turning to head back to Furto. "But even you can be broken."
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---Chapter 26!! Now why, oh why, does he have to do that? What a jerk, huh? But Jemalin knows how he is, and she's not going to give up on him that easily. Hmm, I wonder what she has in store.
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