Chapter Three: Confrontation and Reconciliation

It has been a month since Bulma died. Vegeta spent entire days training, often with Goku, and his nights were spent staring at the sky, as he lay on the Capsule Corp roof. He fell asleep there most nights, and would wake up cold, stiff and covered with dew. He felt depressed. He was still hurting over Bulma's infidelity, and never getting the chance to find out why she did it. Every day was the same. Wake. Eat. Train. Stare. Sleep. He became more and more withdrawn. Goku had tried to reach him, but was spurned. The idea of suicide became more appealing with each passing day. He could just do his suicide attack, out in the desert. No would notice, or even care. But he always thought of his kids. He had to keep going for them. He didn't want them to be orphans, like him. Suicide at this time would be selfish, and Vegeta wasn't that way anymore. Yet, still, it was always there, a final and desperate option to relieve his grief. The kids were coping better. They found comfort in the dragonballs, and didn't have any other issues, unlike Vegeta, who had to deal with the grief of losing Bulma again when she came back.

One day Vegeta was eating a bowl of cereal, (in a salad bowl, with a serving spoon) when Goku strolled in, wearing his gi.

 "Hey Vegeta, how was your nap on the roof?" asked Goku brightly. Vegeta looked up at him, bags under his eyes, his beautiful eyes bloodshot, and his usually perfect hair messy.

"Painful." he grunted. Goku sat down and started pouring cereal for himself.

"I hate to pry…"

"Then don't."

"But why do you stare into the stars every night? Looking for something?" Vegeta was silent, as he rubbed his tired eyes with his knuckles, then looked at Goku, the pain so palpable in his eyes. He said, quietly,

"I'm looking for Heaven."

Vegeta was on his fifty-second set of push-ups when Goku walked into the training chamber. Vegeta looked up, grunted, then continued. Goku sat on the floor and watched him, legs crossed and chin in his hands.

"I don't remember inviting you." said Vegeta, without stopping his push ups.

"I invited myself. We need to talk Vegeta. Right now."

"I don't have anything to say to you."

"Well, I do. Will you stop being such an arrogant asshole and listen to me?!"

"Fine, I'm listening. What is it?" Goku's eyes followed Vegeta's body as he balanced on one finger, one arm behind his back, the sweat sliding down his body and dripping to the floor. Goku took a deep breath.

 "I need your help, well, your advice. Okay, fine, I need some one to listen to me. Will you do that?"

"If I must." He swapped arms.

"Would you think any less of me if I said I didn't want to wish Chichi back? I know she's my wife and all that, but…I don't think I love her anymore."

"I would commend you Kakarot. You don't need that kind of nagging. And she wasn't faithful either."

" Well, Bulma wasn't exactly loyal either."

"Shut your damn slandering mouth, clown! When I wish her back, we'll sort things out, and it'll be okay again!" Vegeta got to his feet and grabbed the front of Kakarot's shirt and pulled him up to face level.

"Who are you trying to fool Vegeta? You know you can't save your marriage!" yelled Goku. Vegeta yelled back.

"I said shut up! Why did you ask me to listen to you in the first place! I'm in no condition to help anyone right now! For Kami's sake, I can't even help my own kids! I can't even think clearly anymore! And since when were we friends, Kakarot?!" Vegeta pushed him away, and Goku fell onto his back. Vegeta clenched his fists and looked over the saiyan.

 " I will sort things out with Bulma, I have to!" Goku got up and dusted himself off. He looked Vegeta in the eye, angry as hell.

"Some friend you are, Vegeta! I thought I could rely on you! I have no one else to turn to dammit! I thought you would understand! No wonder Bulma left you! You haven't changed, you're still as selfish as ever! I was wrong to think you might be a little sympathetic. Just stay the hell away from me."

Goku started walking to the door and Vegeta's eyes followed him.

 "Kakarot…"

"Sorry to disturb your training. I'm obviously a lower priority. I can't believe I thought you had changed. I must have been stupid to think I could even talk to you about anything remotely personal."

Vegeta walked to Goku and put his hand on the Saiyan's shoulder and turned him around.

"I'm in the wrong Kakarot, I know. Look, I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking straight. I am being selfish. You're right, you should have been able to rely on me. I want to make it up to you. I really do consider you my best friend. We are friends. It's just that Bulma's death has hit me hard. Give me another chance, I'll listen to you this time. Please." Goku smiled.

"An apology from you can only be sincere, Vegeta. I take back what I just said. You're a little sensitive at the moment, that I can understand."

"Let's talk over a big bowl of pasta. I've got some explaining to do too."