Might have been some confusion with the last chapter but I replaced the author's note with the 11th chapter. So, if you haven't read it, go to the 11th and read it before this one!! Thanks!

The Downfall of a Heartless Man

Chapter 12

No...no...I only said that in my mind...didn't I?! I couldn't...I can't... "You're lying." I whisper caustically, turning away from her. "Why would I lie about that?" she demands jumping up from the bed, her voice quivering only slightly. "Why the hell would I say something I don't believe in?" "Believe in?! I'm so sick of this bullshit Vegeta! I'm tired of trying to decipher your hidden meanings, telling myself over and over one day you will grow up enough to tell me the truth! " she spits, poison dripping from her angelic lips.

"And what would that be, woman? You think I love you? How can you even fathom such a thing? I'm a fucking murder! A ruthless fucking murderer! I don't even know the meaning of the damn word! And if I did feel it, how the fuck would I know? Do you think I have ever experienced the damn thing, Bulma?! DO YOU?!" I turn around to look at her now, not even caring if she sees the raw emotion displayed on my face. I am past the fear, past the pride.

Sighing heavily, she moves to face me, to look me in the eye. She raises a hand to my face, then begins to trace lines over my rough cheek with one delicate finger. "Somewhere in there..." she whispers, her finger making a path over my cheek and down my neck resting in the place where my heart should exist. "Somewhere in there, I know you want to care about me. I know you want to be the father of my...our baby. I know you do, Vegeta. Maybe you don't know how...maybe you can't...but you want to. And, for now, I can accept that. Just promise me you will stay. Stay at least until the child is born. " I look into her eyes, trying to make her understand how I feel. I want her to know..."I will." I whisper quietly. The corners of her lips turn up in a small smile that doesn't reach her eyes. Does she believe me?

She looks away again, then turns around and begins to walk out of the room. "If you're ready to go, you can now. I don't think there is anything else left for the doctors to do." she adds from the hallway as she completely leaves my sight.

I do love her.

I realize that now, as I sit down on the bed, head in my hands. I'm not sure what love is, what it entails, the responsibilities it requires. All I know is that I have never felt...anything close to how this woman makes me feel. But I will never be able to tell her. Not really. Not the way she wants me to. Not the way I want to.

I may never be able to give her what she wants, what she needs. But I will stay. I will watch my child be born, I will save them both from the androids. I will give her that. But from there...what? Will I stay longer...forever? Will I watch my child...my son grow up to become a man? Will I be a man myself?

I don't know.

Months pass. My son comes soon. By now my aikan's parents have discovered my aikan's pregnancy and the child's father...me." Oh honey! I knew something was going on between the two of you! You're just so perfect together! Eeek! I'm a grandmother!" her mother had screeched when my aikan told her. Her father was more sensible, only smiling and giving his daughter a hug. " Congratulations, dear." he whispered mid-hug. "Thanks mom and dad. I thought you were going to be mad!" my aikan said happily. "Well I'll admit, it wasn't what we planned for...we would have liked you to be married first, but...you're old enough to make your own decisions." her father said, his smile fainting slightly for a moment, then spreading widely again.

It's strange...the way they react toward my aikan. No anger...no resentment...just acceptance. If we had been on Vegeta-sei...would my people have done the same? Would they have accepted my affection for an alien?

No. They would have killed her, killed me. Disgrace...dishonor...shame. They wouldn't even have given her a chance...

I shake my thoughts out of reverie and open my eyes to see the cold, bare walls of the G.R. I have continued training tenfold, despite my aikan's objections. She doesn't understand...I have to save her, I have to keep her alive. The androids will be here soon. I cannot let her down...I cannot let her die...

Sensing her ki near the door, I stand up to meet the woman. Her eyes are alight with giddiness as she walks through the metal doors. "Guess what?!" she shrieks, running to me with her hands clasped in front of her. "What?" I ask wearily. The last time she was this happy...when was the last time she was this happy?

"Goku is gonna be a daddy...again!!" she cries, a big smile erupting all over her beautiful face. So Kakkarot has managed to impregnate that bitch again, has he? Stupid fool. "That's all? By the way you are acting I thought the all the fucking stores on the damn planet were having a sale." I said icily, hiding my sickened astonishment with reproach.

How many poor children must be born of an idiot? I laugh heartily when I see the disdainful look on my akain's face. "Oh come on Vegeta. You can't tell me you aren't the least bit excited." Kami, who does she think I am? "Excited?" I snicker. "Oh yes, I cannot wait for the next baka son to be born." She sighs heavily and closes her eyes. When they open again, I see pain...so much pain. If I had known my words would hurt her, I would have kept my damn mouth shut.

" And what of our son?" she whispers angrily. "Are you so disgusted at the thought of our son coming into the world?" " I said no such thing." I respond, eyes narrowing. " He is coming soon, Vegeta. Soon. Are you ready for this? Are you sure you can handle being a father?"

Am I? Am I sure? " You think I am going to run away don't you? You think I am just going to leave!" She does. I know what she thinks. Why? Why doesn't she trust me? I have done nothing but be here for her...be by her side...what more can she ask of me? What more does she expect? " I don't know what I think anymore. How can I be sure that you aren't going to leave me?" "Because I said I'm not." I whisper. She has to believe me...she must.

She looks down at her large belly, holding it as if her life depended upon it. She is afraid...my strong, fearless woman is afraid. How could I leave her? How could I ever leave the only person who never left me?

I walk quietly to her and take the soft angle of her chin into my hand, raising her face to mine. " I will never leave you, Bulma...not forever. I may go...and it may seem I am not coming back. But I will. I will always come back."

Hand still on her chin, I kiss her. Her lips press against mine, her hands tangle in my hair. I love you, I love you, I love you...

I say it a thousand times over in my mind, where only I can hear it. I will live with her, I will die with her.

My one and only.

AN: all right that was fun! I know some of you are going to think that Vegeta was way OOC. But I beg to differ. The next chapter should be the birth of Trunks, if everything goes as planned. What the hell am I talking about, I don't have a plan! He he he. Well anywho once again, big thanks to the readers, you guys are great! I love you sooooo much! DON'T FORGET TO REVIEW!! I LOVE YOU!!! - Melissa