Author's Note: OK  a BIG thankyou to Aerin for her excellent idea! It's really gunna help me. Anyway I won't talk for long, so lets get on with the story.

Chapter 24: ICU

It was late on Friday night and Vegeta was sitting at his computer sifting through all the crap emails in his hotmail inbox.

"Junk, junk, junk, junk," he muttered ticking off the emails. Suddenly he noticed something he didn't like the look of. It was an email entitled something else you might want to know; Vegeta. "Shit," he whispered before opening the email. It contained two sentences the chilled Vegeta to the bone.

You took my brother from me that night. And now I'm going to take your sister from you.

Vegeta pushed himself away from the computer and strode out of his room, slamming Vega's door open.

She was sitting on her bed reading the latest Dolly magazine.

"Vegeta? What the hell's wrong with you?" she asked putting down the magazine.

"N-nothing," he stuttered, closing the door and walking back to his room.

Had this guy really scared him so bad that he was thinking his sister was dead? He shook that thought away and went downstairs to check the burglar alarm was on. Vegeta made to go back upstairs when the phone rang. He stood stock still, staring at the phone for what seemed like a lifetime. Who would be ringing him at this hour? He walked over and hesitantly answered the phone.

"Hello?" he asked.

"V-Vegeta is that you?" it was a woman and she sounded like she was crying.

"Bulma, what's wrong?" he asked, genuinely worried.

"V-Vegeta can you come pick me up?" she asked.

"Where are you?"

"A-a-at my place."

"Why do you need me to come and pick you up?"

"It-it-it's my sister a-a-and my brother in law. There was a home invasion, h-h-he attacked them a-a-and they're in Intensive Care at the hospital. M-m-my parents are up there now, they-they were at a meeting a-a-and they just called. I-I'm sorry Vegeta I-I-I just didn't know who else to call," she sobbed. Vegeta's eyes widened.

"S-sure I'll be right over," he stuttered.

"Th-thanks." Bulma hung up the phone. Vegeta placed his back on the receiver.


Home invasion? In West Capitol? Vegeta ran upstairs and grabbed a jacket out of his room. On the way out he quickly ducked inside Vega's room.


"Vegeta what now?" she asked.

"I have to go pick Bulma up," he told her, fumbling for his car keys in his jacket pocket.

"From where? Why?"


"I need to take her to the hospital her sister and brother in law are in IC there. Anyway, you tell Lisa and Kevin tomorrow, if I'm not home and don't forget to lock the door OK?"

"Lock the door? OK………. Alright well ring me and let me know when you're going to be back OK?"

"Yeah whatever. Bye." He closed the door and stared at it for a moment.

Could he really leave her there on her own? An image of Bulma flashed in front of him. Yes, he could. Vega was in no immediate danger. Bulma needed his help.

Vegeta ran downstairs and opened the door to the garage. His Mitsi Evo 8 was parked there. He'd sold his Jag a couple of days ago and traded up to the flashier racing car. With a bright yellow paint job, tread marks painted down the side in silver, blue neon lights, 22 inch chromey mags and blow-off valves, it really was an amazing car. But right now he had to focus on Bulma. He jumped into the driver's seat and opened the garage door.

Blue lights filled the shed and Vegeta backed out.

*

Bulma sat on the couch staring at the remaining embers in the fire grate. She couldn't be bothered putting more wood on the fire, that wasn't important.


She sat there for a good ten minutes when Vegeta knocked on the door and let himself in.

"Bulma?" he asked, fumbling for a light. "Are you there." A sniff alerted him to her presence on the couch and he walked over. "Come on, we'd better go." She nodded and stood up. She wouldn't let Vegeta help her to his car.

When both were inside and heading for the hospital, Vegeta started talking.

"I didn't think your sister lived in West Capitol." Bulma nodded, sniffing and wiping her eyes.


"They moved back here a couple of years ago." Vegeta nodded.

"Do they know who did it?"

"N-n-no but they left a note, computer written, that no one can seem to understand what it means. Mum said I can have a look when we get there."

They spent the rest of the trip in silence. Vegeta stepped out of his Evo and after Bulma was out, locked it.


They made their way into the hospital where a woman directed them to intensive care unit.

Bulma saw her mother sitting next to her sister's bed holding Camisole's hand and crying. Her father stood on the other side, his head bowed, not saying anything.

"Mum!" Bulma sobbed walking over to her mother. Mrs. Briefs looked up at her daughter. "How is she? Where's Richard?" she asked, referring to her elder brother-in-law.

Mrs. Briefs couldn't say anything so her husband stepped in.

"Richard died," he said quietly. Tears welled in Bulma's eyes.


"Is-is-is Cami going to live?" she asked, fresh tears streaming down her face. Richard couldn't be dead! He was her sister's husband and her brother in law whom she loved as family. He couldn't be dead.

"She's not doing very well. The attacker stabbed them both in their sleep. Richard died of blood loss soon after they brought him up and Camisole has lots of stab wounds over her stomach, chest and shoulders and at the moment they say she's got a 10% chance of survival. She's on life support at the moment." Her father turned away, tears coming to his eyes.

Vegeta stepped up behind Bulma, wrapping his arms around her. Bulma rested her head on his arm crying loudly.

"H-h-he's dead Vegeta! A-a-and Cami's gonna die too," she sobbed now crying uncontrollably.


"Ssssh, ssh, I know. Ssh honey." Vegeta just couldn't bring himself to be his usual asshole self, not with Bulma like this. He led her over to a two seater chair next to her sister's bed and sat her next to him. "Don't worry Bulma. Your sister will be alright." Bulma shook her head, rubbing her eyes but only bringing on more tears.

The sound of Bulma and her mother crying was the only sound to be heard save for Dr. Brief's occasional sniff and Vegeta's sshing of Bulma.

Bulma had almost drifting off to sleep an hour or so later when the doo, doo, doo, doo of the heart machine became a stomach dropping do-do-do-do-do. Bulma snapped up.

"Oh my Kami Vegeta what's happening?" she asked, covering her mouth with her hand. Doctors came rushing in and a nurse ushered Bulma, Vegeta and Bulma's parents out of the room. They were made to watch from the other side of a glass window.

"Teddy what's happening?" Mrs. Briefs asked hysterically. They heard a 'clear' from one of the doctors and Camisole was shocked. A pause and then 'clear' again. When nothing happened, the doctor put the panels aside.

"Bag her!" he called. A tube was forced down Camisole's throat and someone began pumping air into her. The doctor who had shocked Cami began doing CPR.


 "1, 2, 3. 1, 2, 3." Vegeta hugged Bulma tightly as she watched the doctors. After half an hour they heard a "cease CPR. Time of death 3.24 a.m."

"Noooo," Mrs. Briefs screamed. She threw herself against the window. Her husband had to hold her back.

"She's gone, honey. They can't get her back." Mrs. Briefs turned on her husband and began sobbing. Dr. Briefs embraced her. Tears ran down his face.

Bulma turned to Vegeta. He said nothing, but hugged her. She laid her head on his shoulder.

"No," she whispered.

*

Bulma stepped into the room. It had emptied of everyone except the body of her sister. Bulma sat next to her and stroked her cold hand.

"I'm so sorry, Cami. I'm so sorry. You didn't deserve to die like this. Not this soon." Bulma looked at her sister. She had shoulder length blonde hair that she had inherited from her mother. Bulma sniffed. She had been so young, only 25. She had had all her life left to live, yet it was taken from her in an instant by someone she didn't know. "Rest in peace, Cami," Bulma whispered, kissing her sister's forehead.

Bulma stood and left the room. Vegeta was waiting for her outside.

"Bulma?" she looked up. "The police are here. They want to talk to you," Vegeta told her. Bulma nodded. Vegeta clasped her hand and led her back down to the reception where three police officers were waiting for them.

"Bulma Briefs?" one of them asked. Bulma nodded. A red headed woman in full police uniform walked over to meet her. "And who is this?" she asked, peering at Vegeta.

"My boyfriend," Bulma told her. She seemed to have run out of tears. Her eyes were puffy and red and her nose stung.

"That's OK them. Listen I am very sorry about your loss but I need to ask you some questions. They may help us find the murderer." Bulma nodded and the woman led her and Vegeta into an uninhabited waiting room.

"D-do you have any idea who did it?" Bulma asked. The woman shook her head.

"Listen, Bulma. I need you to tell me if there is anybody that would have any reason to hurt your sister?" Bulma shook her head.


"Not anyone I know." The woman nodded.

"What about someone who would want to hurt Richard?" She shook her head again. "Alright. Bulma, the killer left this at your sister's house. I want you to tell me if it makes any sense to you." The woman handed Bulma a small piece of paper.

"Do you have any idea what that means?" the police officer asked. Bulma stared at the piece of paper.

"N-n-no I have no idea. It-it-it makes no sense to me." She handed the piece of paper back to the woman.

"May I have a look?" Vegeta asked. He didn't know why he wanted to but something inside of him was compelling him to look at the small piece of paper. The woman frowned at him but handed him the piece of paper.

I'm starting wider out but slowly I will move in, closer and closer to you until I get what I want.  

Vegeta's eyes widened. "Oh my Kami," he whispered quietly. The woman frowned and looked at him.

"What? Do you know what it means, Vegeta?" Bulma asked. He closed his eyes and pushed the piece of paper across the table to the police woman.

"N-n-no it-it just reminds me of something, that's all."


"Of what?" she asked. Vegeta looked into her blue eyes, staring so intensely at him.


"Nothing. It's not important I'll tell you later." Bulma nodded, not in the mood to argue. She grabbed Vegeta's hand for comfort.


"Well that's all. I'll contact your family, Bulma, if we get any leads. Good night." The woman stood and walked out. Vegeta and Bulma followed shortly after.

"Are your parents giving you a ride home?" Vegeta asked. Bulma shook her head.


"They're staying here. My mum wants to be with Cami. I do too b-b-but I don't think I can handle it." A fresh set of tears welled up in her eyes, spilling over her lids.

"I'll take you home then," he told her, kissing her forehead gently.

*

Bulma and Vegeta arrived back at CC at 5.00 that morning. Bulma wanted to stay there on her own but Vegeta insisted on staying with her, for which she was thankful.


While Bulma went upstairs to get ready to sleep, Vegeta texted Vega.

R U AWAKE? IF U R RNG ME @ BLMA'S

A few moments later the phone rang.


"Vega?"

"Vegeta? Where are you?"

"I'm at Bulma's house. Her sister and brother in law both died so I'm staying here with her. Tell Lisa and Kevin in the morning.:"

"Alright. Is Bulma OK?"


"Not really. Anyway I have to go now. Go to sleep Vega."

"Yes boss," she muttered and hung up.

Vegeta headed upstairs, knocking on the door to Bulma's room.


"Come in, Vegeta," came Bulma's voice from the other side. He let himself in.

Bulma was lying in her queen sized bed, curled up with her back facing the door. Vegeta walked in and closed the door behind him. He sat down on the side of the bed next to Bulma. Tears were running down her face.

"Are you alright?" he asked, knowing the answer. She shook her head.

"She was too young to die, Vegeta. I can't believe she's dead, she's my only sister," she choked out. Vegeta brushed her hair out of her face and rested his hand on her cheek. Who would've thought seeing one woman like this could make him feel so horrible.

Horrible.


The letter.


No, he couldn't tell her. Not yet. Maybe tomorrow, but not now. He understood the note perfectly, but he couldn't tell her tonight.

"I'm sorry Vegeta. This isn't your problem I shouldn't-"


"Don't say that woman," he warned. "I can't stand seeing you like this so it is my problem." Bulma said nothing but nodded. Vegeta stood and stripped himself down to his boxers. It was quarter past five, he needed some sleep. Their soccer game tomorrow wasn't until 9.00 but there was no way Bulma was going anyway. He might, he'd have to see.


Vegeta got into the other side of Bulma's bed and moved closer to her so her back was pressed against his front. He placed his right arm over her small body and she grabbed his hand.


"Thankyou, Vegeta," she whispered. He said nothing but kissed the back of her neck before falling asleep.

*

Next Chapter: What did Vegeta understand about the note? How will Bulma's other friends react? Will Vegeta go to soccer? Find out next time.

Author's Note: OK that was really really random. I had no intention of doing anything I did in this chapter it was just suddenly this idea that popped into my head and yeah this is how it came out. Anyway I made it a home invasion, not seeing how it would fit my story, simply because I wanted to kill Bulma's sister off some way other than a car crash 'cause that's just so over used. Anyway you guys tell me what you thought and if you don't like it I'll get rid of it. Simple. You fullas are the judges. Anyway happy waiting, it shouldn't be too long I tend to write more when I have heaps of ideas which I do and it's the holidays so yeah I got nothing better to do.


Kaibun