Thanks for all the reviews! Unfortunately, no one has guessed it right so far. All your Goku guesses were close though, so I'll give you all cookies anyway. grins You'll see the correct answer in just a moment! winks hands out cookies
Now a few responses to reviewers (my how I love you all!):
Jedi Spiderfan- No, I actually started writing this story before PotC came out…it is a bit like it in that there're pirates though. grins The original inspiration for this story was a picture on a very excellent site called the VB Sanctuary—I thought Veggie looked like a pirate in it.
Pikachu Hunter- Thanks so much; you're a doll! And you're right, it would make sense for it to be Goku, but I don't like to make sense all the time. grins
VegetasWifey- I completely agree—evil is totally sexy.
Thanks to all who reviewed—please do again! grins
Now, just a warning—Goku is introduced in this chapter and he's not quite as he is in the series. Actually, he's quite charming, but a bit ruthless—what Takarra and I call his Kakarrot persona. So don't whine to me that Goku is out of character—it's on purpose. Deal with it. Remember, it's an AU fic. My world. grins and winks Oh, and I forgot to put in the last AN that this title is a working title and may not stay…and it is intended to be a pun of "Stockholm Syndrome." Now, read, review, and enjoy!
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Bulma endeavored to hide her nerves as she paced her companion along the deck. He tossed her a reassuring smile. "It'll be all right. My father's in there too…he's Vegita's first mate. He looks pretty intimidating, but he'll look after you. I'm in there sometimes, but today I have other chores." The look of exaggerated dread on his face coaxed a smile from her reluctant lips, and he grinned in return. "That's a girl. Now, here you are! Try to eat something…and don't be afraid of Vegita. He won't hurt you, and if he's too awful to you, just tap my father under the table and he'll make him quit. I made sure he would save you a seat next to him. Good luck, and if you get really stuck, just call me! I'll be listening."
As he turned to leave, Bulma made a crucial observation. "Wait! I don't know your father! I don't even know your name!"
The young man blushed and smiled, scratching the back of his head. "Gee, sorry about that. My father's the one with the eye patch, his name is Goku. I'm Gohan. Bye now!" With that Gohan turned and jogged to another part of the ship, presumably to some chore.
Alone now, Bulma drew herself up and took a deep breath, regaining her composure before reaching for the door and entering the most terrifying place she could currently imagine.
She walked in like a queen, proud, strong, and confident. She nodded in acknowledgement of the others present and made her way toward the head of the table…where Vegita sat like a king holding court.
As she approached the captain, a man at his right stood and bowed cordially. "It is a pleasure to meet you my lady…I see reports of your beauty were not exaggerated." He took her hand and kissed it lightly before releasing it and standing. As she curtseyed in response, she took careful note of his appearance. Wild black hair seemed to riot in every direction, and it, combined with his bright red eye patch, gave him an air of rakish charm. "I'm Goku, first mate of the Sea Tiger."
Bulma smiled and curtseyed again. "I'm Lady Bulma, daughter of Lord Demetrius, betrothed of Lord Tallis of Vaniya." Her tone was formal, but there was a hint of irony in her voice that showed her understanding that this distinguished title was the reason she was here rather than safe at home. Her eyes smiled sweetly at Goku while her expression remained merely pleasant. He pulled out a chair for her—the one between himself and Vegita—and she sat daintily.
It was quiet as Goku sat himself, everyone looking at Vegita to make the next move. He remained silent, lounging comfortably, a pensive expression on his face.
Well, he certainly has a penchant for the dramatic, Bulma thought irritably. How long is this arrogant attention hog going to keep us waiting? Fine, I'll speak first.
Just as she opened her mouth, some polite but curt phrase on the tip of her tongue, the captain's rich voice cut through the thick silence like a knife—albeit a beautiful one. "Thank you for joining us, my dear. Very sociable of you." His was a soft voice…deceptively so, she was sure. But that didn't stop her spine from tingling at the sound. She silently cursed her body for betraying her, even so privately—she did not want to think of him as attractive, no matter how much he was. Firmly filling her mind with thoughts of her Tallis, she turned her eyes demurely to the captain to reply.
"Surely I could do no less, having been shown such courtesy already, Captain," she replied, a thin veneer of civility covering her sarcasm.
Vegita chose to ignore her tone and gestured around the table. "As you can see, I often dine with my oldest and most trusted comrades…my officers, if you will. You are welcome to join us for meals."
He then turned his sharp gaze to her and studied her closely. As his eyes coursed over her form, she felt suddenly that her new dress was far too thin—it was almost as though she could feel the heat of his gaze on her skin. Feeling distinctly uncomfortable, she fought the urge to slouch and cringe away. Finally, his eyes wandered back to meet hers and a smirk dropped into place on his face.
"I see Gohan found you some decent clothes in the midst of all that mess. They suit you, you know…." His smirk showed an emotion above and beyond appreciation.
Why on earth would that send shivers down her spine? Bulma shook off the feeling and began to summon up every ounce of indignation she could muster—though she wasn't sure it would be enough.
However, before her lack could become apparent, Goku cut in. "All right Vegita—enough hassling the girl. Let's just eat already!"
After a long, hard look at his first mate, Vegita nodded slowly. "Very well." His eyes turned toward the food, and Bulma could scarce help sighing in relief. His gaze confused her desperately, and she was in no hurry to feel it on her again.
Bulma picked at the food on her plate, keeping her gaze fixed firmly at the table. She would not, could not, risk catching the captain's eye. She felt horribly conspicuous as the only female at the table, and it took all of her control to keep her composure. She found she wanted desperately to hug herself tightly or run away from this whole mess…but she couldn't. She was a lady, well raised by a wise and loving father and a strong and proud mother. She was strong. She refused to bow to the desires of these rough men.
A soft pat on the knee startled her until she realized it was coming from her right—Goku's side—and was purely platonic. Feeling comforted, Bulma smiled softly and was able to choke down a few more bites.
Bulma felt Vegita's eyes on her a few more times throughout the meal, but he did not speak to her again. When he finished his food, he rose and left without a farewell to either her or his men. Apparently the other occupants of the table were quite used to this, however, and their conversations continued interrupted.
"Well my lady, if you are finished, may I escort you to your room?" Goku's voice, spoken quietly and surprisingly near. It was very like Gohan's in timbre and tone, but it was a few shades deeper.
Bulma nodded; of all the people she had met on this ship, he and his son were the only ones to give the impression of trustworthiness. She stood and took his arm, tracing her steps back to her cabin.
Goku spoke softy as they walked, his voice even, the words rolling neatly to the beat of their matched steps. "I think you will be happy here, if you will let yourself. The captain isn't so bad once you're used to him, and neither are most of the men. As long as you don't try anything stupid, you'll be allowed to do whatever you like most of the time."
As long as you don't try anything stupid. His voice had stayed gentle, but there was steel behind it. Perhaps Goku wasn't really a friend—he was kind, yes, but he would brook no rebellion. Which, she supposed, was a good enough quality in a first mate…but she couldn't count on him for help. Not if she wanted to get out of here….
"Here you are my lady. I hope your day is a pleasant one." Goku bowed once more before leaving her at her door.
Bulma slipped inside, torn between disappointment and relief. To add to her discomfort, out of the discomfiting presence of the sailors, she was beginning to feel hungry for more than the few bites she had managed to choke down.
Moving to take a seat, a smile lit her face as she saw the breakfast tray on her small table. She again blessed Gohan liberally as she sat down to eat—she had the feeling she was going to be needing her strength.
Bulma pulled her shawl closer around her arms as she walked the deck, admiring sea and stars. She came to a stop near the prow and leaned against the railing, closing her eyes and feeling the salty wind comb through her hair with tender fingers. She had always loved the sea, and sailing…so it was not hard to imagine herself out of this situation and exist purely in the moment. The only things left in the universe for her was the wind, gentle as a lover, the smell of the sea like perfume, and the gently swaying deck beneath her feet, rocking her comfortingly.
The clearing of a throat broke the illusion and startled her into jumping as she spun quickly to see the disturbance. "Oh, Gohan, you startled me."
The dark young man looked genuinely apologetic. "I'm very sorry my lady…I didn't want to interrupt you, but your supper is in your cabin, and I didn't want it to get cold."
Bulma gave him a kind smile. "Oh, don't worry Gohan. It's fine. I'll just come in." Bulma adjusted her shawl again and started toward her sanctuary. Gohan caught up with her in a few long strides and cleared his throat again.
"My lady…there's one thing more. The captain would like to see you in his cabin after you eat…and he wants to know if you play chess."
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Well, who can guess what'll be in the next chapter? Perhaps a chess game? My, aren't you clever! grins A cookie goes to every reviewer of this chapter! Even you, Tak!