Disclaimer; Do I really need to repeat myself....For the millionth time, I don't own DBZ!

A/N;. NEW CHAPTER! Ok here we go again. But before we begin, I want to say thanks to all the people who are reviewing this fic. It really means a lot to me that you like this, since in the beginning I was so nervous about posting this. It's my first A/U! Well anyway, I'm rambling now... so lets get on with it shall we. ~D.B

And Then You'll Know

Chapter 16

Vegeta was fretting, the Son ball was only 2 days away and he hadn't found a date, and if he showed up by himself he would look like a moron.

"Vegeta, relax, you'll pop a vein or something" commented Chi-chi from the other side of the table. Vegeta looked up at his little sister and smirked, "I most certainly will not" he replied.

Chi-chi gave him an odd smirk and threw herself into her father's throne.

Vegeta rolled his eyes and turned back to the sheet of notes from the morning's briefing. He and his sister had been given the responsibility of keeping the planet running smoothly for 3 days, it wasn't really hard work, since both brother and sister knew what they were doing well. But today Vegeta just couldn't concentrate.

Chi-chi let out a frustrated groan and marched over to her brother. "All right Veg-head spill"

He gave her an irritated glare "Don't call me that. And what makes you think I have anything to spill"

"My god, it is so obvious. Now what's wrong, I'm sure I can help" said Chi-chi as she batted her eyelids.

"Fine," Vegeta gave in just to get his sister off his back, "I don't have a date for the ball"

Chi-chi's jaw dropped, "Serious?" she asked "Take B-Chan. I mean, she's got a mega crush on you so she'd be happy to do it"

Bulma had a crush on him? Well that was news to him, he just thought of them as friends. But it did make sense to ask her. They knew each other well, so there would be no awkward introductions, and they both lived in the same place, so there would be no problems getting her there and back again, plus she was cute so he wouldn't have to worry about taking some ugly chick.

"Well I suppose I could" he tried not to sound to thrilled about it.

Chi-chi jumped up and down and clapped her hands together, "This is so great. Go ask her right now, I'll take care of things here" she said and she pushed him out of the throne room.

Vegeta grumbled as he made his way down the hall, he did not like being told what to do. Soon he was at the lab where Bulma helped her father during the day. He knocked once then pushed open the door and strolled into the brightly lit lab.

"Woman, you in here?" called Vegeta.

"Is that you Vegeta?" replied Bulma from somewhere else in the lab.

"Yeah". A few minutes later Bulma came around a corner in a white lab coat, her long blue hair tied back in a loose ponytail, she was wiping her greasy hands on the nice white coat. "Hi" she said.

"Your filthy" commented Vegeta.

Bulma looked down, he was right, she was covered in grease and grime. She looked up at him, shrugged her shoulders and flashed him a brilliant smile, "Yeah" she said "But what can I do for you?"

Vegeta tugged at the collar of his shirt, for some reason he felt hot all of a sudden, but he was not one to beat around the bush, so he just came out and asked. "Do you want to come to the Son's ball with me?"

Bulma looked shocked, "What? Why?" she asked.

"Well I don't have anyone else to ask, and Chi-chi seems to think it would be a good idea and I'd rather go with a cute person than some freak"

Bulma blushed, "You think I'm cute"

Oh god, how was Vegeta gonna get himself out of this one, he'd accidentally let that one slip and she'd picked up on it. Curse that woman and her super intelligent brain.

"Whatever, you wanna come or not?"

"Sure Vegeta, I'll go with you" replied Bulma.

"Good," he said then he turned to leave, "Find Chi-chi, she'll tell you the rest" he said, and with that he was gone. Bulma watched him leave then collapsed into the nearest chair.

"Oh my god" she uttered quietly "Oh my god!" This was positively, the best thing that had ever happened to her. What was she going to wear? How should she do her hair? So many questions, she felt like she was about to faint.

***

Krillen wandered up and down one of the most prestigious shopping strips on Vegeta-sei, he was on a mission. A mission to find the perfect dress for 18, but so far he had found nothing that would do her beautiful face justice. Stopping outside the next shop he gazed into the window for a few seconds before pushing the door open and strolling inside.

"Good afternoon sir, do you need any assistance?". Krillen just shook his head numbly, for his eyes had locked on to a truly beautiful gown. It was just what he had been looking for. He quickly spun back around. "Excuse me" he called to the sales lady. She turned around and came back over to Krillen. She knew who she was dealing with, and she appeared extremely nervous.

"How much is that?" Krillen asked pointing to the dress. The lady smiled, "I believe it is $12,000" she said.

"And what is the smallest size it comes in?" he asked

"We stock as small as a size 6" the lady replied.

"Ok, thank you. I'll take that one in a size 6" The lady nodded and led Krillen to the sales counter. There he waited patiently as she went in the back of the shop to fetch the dress. When she came back she had a big white box wrapped in silver ribbon. Krillen swiped his card and then typed in his pin.

"So is that for someone special?" asked the sales lady.

"Yeah it is," replied Krillen as he picked the box up off he counter, "Thanks" he said and he left the store.

Once he was outside, he sat down on the first available bench he saw. And he was pretty sure he heard the snap of a camera as he did so. That wasn't uncommon around here, and when you were the son of the King, you got used to having your privacy breeched.

Well that was the easy part of the shopping trip over, he'd found the dress. But he still needed shoes and an evening bag and accessories, it was going to take him all day. But it was worth it for 18.

***

Chi-chi and Bulma sat sprawled out on Chi-chi's bed, flipping through all the latest fashion magazines.

"What about this one?" asked Bulma as she shoved the picture under Chi-chi's noes. "It's very cute," replied Chi-chi "I'm so glad you said yes" Bulma sat up on the bed and crossed her legs.

"Of course I said yes stupid. Why the hell would I say no?"

Chi-chi rolled onto her back and looked up at the ceiling. "I know you wouldn't say no. But just think how much fun this is going to be" squeaked Chi-chi. Bulma laughed and hurled a pillow at her best friend's face.

There was a third person in the room, but no one remembered she was there. 18 looked up and watched the two girls engaged in the pillow fight and growled deep in her throat. The blue haired girl, 18 didn't know, she'd seen her around, but she'd never had anything to do with her, all she knew was that her name was Bulma. But Chi-chi, she was a different story, all she wanted to do was wrap her hands around her neck and kill her with her own two hands. Just then Chi-chi shot her a glare than would have sent anyone but 18 cowering in the other direction, unfortunately for Chi-chi though, 18 had mastered the art of the death glare, and she put it to full use, and sure enough Chi-chi shifted her gaze.

Grumbling to herself again, 18 turned back to the task at hand, she was busy scrubbing Chi-chi walls, though she was sure she had done it only a few weeks ago, but there was nothing she could do about it.

***

It didn't take long for the day of the Son's ball to arrive, everyone involved was excited, everyone but 18. She hadn't told anyone where she was going, or that she was even going out. She knew they would ridicule her for it.

She had been upstairs, and was pleasantly surprised to find that in her excited state, Chi-chi had forgotten to leave her a task sheet. So she had headed out into the garden, where she knew 17 was working, which was where she was now. Sitting on a bench while she watched him mow a huge lawn, it would take him hours to finish.

She shifted off the seat and onto the soft green grass, crossing her legs she rested her back against the bench. She closed her eyes, tilted her head back, and let out a long sigh. It wasn't a warm day, but it wasn't cold, just the right temperature for sitting outside in the sun under the blue sky that was speckled with huge, fluffy white clouds.

Suddenly the droning sound of the lawn mower died, 18 opened one eye, only to see her brother strolling over, an inquisitive look on his face.

"What?" she asked as he sat down next to her.

"Shouldn't you be busy right now?" he replied with a question of his own

"You'd think that wouldn't you" stated 18 in her usual flat monotone voice.

The twins were silent for a few minutes, both deep in thoughts of their own, yet both only to aware of what was going through each others mind. It was like some special kind of bond that they shared as twins, they could both tell how the other felt with no more than a quick glance. Sometimes it was a blessing to have someone know what you were going through, though at other times, there was nothing more irritating.

"Do you remember when we were young 17?" asked the blonde twin as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear

"Not really, sometimes I dream little bits, but not often. You?" he asked.

"Same," she said "Sometimes I can remember, but not often"

"Don't you ever wonder what it would be like to be normal, and live outside?"

"Sometimes" 18 sighed "Well maybe more than sometimes, ok a lot. Ever since I was 11 I wondered what it be like to live outside, even just as a peasant"

"Me too" agreed 17, then he stood up "Well I'd better get back to it hey"

"I guess so," 18 stood up to, and briefly embraced her brother "I'll see you later ok"

***

"Wow, this is one fancy place" said Bulma in awe as she looked around the beauty salon. Chi-chi really had spared no expense at making them look amazing for the ball. They were currently standing in the lobby of one of the most expensive and prestigious salons on Vegeta-sei.

A lady in a very short dress came out a door then, she took her place behind the counter and quickly ran her perfectly manicured nails through her beautiful black hair.

"Ah, madam Chi-chi. Such a pleasure to see you again" she said. Chi-chi nodded her head and smiled at the slightly older woman, before grabbing hold of Bulma's wrist and dragging her into the back of the salon.

A short time later, Bulma and Chi-chi were sitting in very expensive chair, getting the ultimate make over. Manicure and pedicure, of course their nails were painted colours that would compliment the dresses they would be wearing. Their hair was washed, then given all sorts of weird treatments to get it into styles that the hairdressers deemed good enough for them to wear.

"This is so much fun" said Bulma, who adored being pampered.

"I know" agreed Chi-chi. Soon some women came out to check on the girl's hair and do some final styling to it. By the time they were done, they looked like new girls.

Bulma's usually curly hair had been straightened, then the stop half had been sectioned off from the bottom half and tied up in a very fancy way, then it had been slightly re-curled, it looked beautiful.

As for Chi-chi, her long straight hair that fell about halfway down her back, had been curled into very tiny, very tight ringlets that now fell to just above her shoulders and they were just left to hang there like that, it was stunning.

"You both look marvellous" complimented one of the ladies as Chi-chi swiped her card to pay. "You'll knock their socks off tonight. I wish I was going"

Chi-chi laughed at looked up at the lady "Lots of people wish they were going. Well thanks" she said as she followed Bulma outside and straight into the waiting car, there was no way they were going to mess up their hair by flying.

***

Krillen looked down at his watch, it read 3.36. "Where is she?" he asked himself as he quickened his pace down the halls, looking in all the spots she might be. Yet he just couldn't find her. "Figures, the one time I'm looking for her, and she vanishes on me"

"You're not looking for me by any chance are you?" came a smooth voice from behind him. Krillen stopped dead in his tracks and turned around.

"You're exactly who I'm looking for!" he exclaimed

18 rolled her eyes and took the few steps towards him. "Why" she asked

"Why?" he repeated, "So we can get you ready for tonight. C'mon" he said as he led her down the hall.

18 gulped and followed him, she really wasn't sure about this anymore, she didn't know if she could go through with it. But did she really have a choice?

She followed him down the halls for a few minutes, before they eventually arrived at Krillens bedroom.

"I put all the things I got for you on my bed. You can shower, and I got everything I though you might need. I hope you like what I chose for you"

18 smiled at him "I'm sure it will be great"

"Now I'm gonna need to come in about 2 hours so I can get ready, will that be enough time?" he asked.

"I'm sure it will be, and anyway, the room is more than big enough for two" 18 replied.

Krillen laughed and 18 noticed a faint pink blush tinge his cheeks. He unlocked the door, and opened it for 18, then gently shutting it behind her, he headed for the G.R's.

18 rested against the door and closed her eyes. After a long minute she opened her eyes and looked towards the bed in the corner of the huge room, as Krillen had said, there was everything she would need there. As she made her way over there, her eyes rested on the big white box, but she quickly decided that before she opened it, a shower was in order.

Almost 40 minutes later, she emerged, feeling great. There was nothing like a hot shower full of steam to make you feel refreshed. Unless of course it was a shower full of steam and all kinds of nice smelling shampoos and body scrubs. With only a fluffy white towel covering her, 18 made her way back over to her new things. She noticed a small black bag sitting separately from all the rest and she picked it up and turned it upside down, she had to laugh at what fell out. A pair of lace light blue panties and a matching bra. For some reason 18 though it was cute. She slipped into them, and oh how wonderful it felt to wear something clean.

Her eyes scanned over the millions of little things Krillen had brought for her, ranging from every type of make up and hair accessory available to little and big things 18 had never seen before.

The next thing she did was open the big white box and a loud gasp escaped her lips as she did do.

Holding the dress up she looked at it in amazement, it was absolutely stunning. The dress was crystal blue, and made out of silk. It fell all the way to the ground. It had thin spaghetti straps, which formed a halter neck, and a low cut bodice. The back of the dress had been cut out, so that 18's back would show. It was beautiful.

She quickly put it on, and turned to look in the mirror. It fit her all most perfectly, only being the tiniest bit too big, but that wouldn't matter.

"Wow" 18 muttered to herself, as her fingers gently touched the soft material. She couldn't remember the last time she had felt so special.

After a few minutes of admiring herself, she managed to pull her eyes away. Sitting down on the bed, she picked a shoebox up off the floor and opened it.

Only to be stunned again.

The shoes were of the same colour as the dress, they had fair sized heel on them, and were done up with a strap and buckle. She pulled them on and did them up. The she picked up the assortment of cosmetics and took them all over to the big dresser and sat in front of it.

Some time later, 18 heard knocking on the door. It had to be Krillen.

"Can I come in 18?" she heard him call.

"Yeah" she replied.

The door creaked open and she watched Krillen in the mirror, he shut the door, then spotted 18 looking at him and stopped.

18 stood up and faced him. "Well," she asked, "What do you think?"

Krillen's mouth fell open. Never in all of his 19 years had he seen someone look so beautiful. Not even his own mother rivalled what he saw standing before him.

"18," he began, then stopped to find the right words, "You look......breathtaking".

18 blushed slightly at his words, and turned back to the mirror. She had pinned her hair back with fancy clips and she had curled it slightly, leaving a few strands hanging at the front. Her make up was flawless, it looked like it had been done professionally. "I'm not done yet" she said as she picked up a brush.

"Well, I'll...uh...be in the...er...shower" said Krillen, suddenly loosing all of his confidence and composure. 18 noticed this and looked at him oddly, but said nothing.

***

"Well what do you think?" asked Chi-chi as she did a twirl for Bulma

"You look so cute" replied Bulma happily.

Chi-chi was wearing a deep red evening gown with a hint of silver glitter on it, it had spaghetti straps that criss-crossed all way down her back before meeting up with the bulk of the dress. It had a long split up either side, and showed of Chi-chi's legs and very expensive red shoes that made her a good 4 inches taller. Her now curly hair was hanging loose and her sparkling crown was sitting nicely on top of her head, she was wearing fiery red eye make up, and she clutched a small red purse.

"And you look great as well" said Chi-chi eagerly.

Bulma stood up and looked down at her attire. Her dress wasn't as modest as most others, but she took pride in her body and loved to flaunt it.

The dress was black and glittery, it was a halter neck, but it was very low cut, in fact, it didn't meet until after Bulma's pierced bellybutton. It had splits that went almost all the way up Bulma's leg. Her shoes were black heels that had long strings, which Bulma had wrapped around her ankles. She had very natural make up on. She had also added more attention to her already very noticeable mid-section by wearing a diamond necklace that shone and reflected off all the lights in the room.

"I don't know how you can be game enough to ware that" commented Chi-chi as she eyed her friend.

Bulma shrugged and laughed "What can I say".

***

A/N; Well there you go. What did you think? I'd love to know. The next chapter is the grand Son Ball and I guarantee there are going to be a few surprises in store for a few of our peeps. Can you guess what's gonna happen next?

Well it's almost school holidays. (Thank-god!) And I'll have plenty of time to write, so hopefully next chappie shouldn't be to far off.

~D.B