Last time:
"Are you going or what?" Vegeta hissed from the fire, not looking up.
17 shook his head sadly and exited the room, the vision of Bulma's burning face forever imprinted on his mind, and the look in Vegeta's eyes as he stared at the flames.
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Bulma let out a burst of laughter and threw her head back. All eyes in the restaurant were on her, but she ignored them, as she always did. Across the table Omezo chuckled lightly to himself and took a sip of tea.
"That's crazy," she sighed, catching her breath. "And he never found out it was you?"
"Nope," Omezo laughed. "I told my mom it was me a few weeks later and even she couldn't stop laughing. But that's what he gets for inking my tea when I had her over. He's lucky I'm not that creative, or he would have really paid."
"It must be great to have siblings. Someone to terrorize. I have friends that are twins and they're always at odds. A little while ago one of them gave all the other one's clothes away and left them with only one hideous outfit. He was so mad he wouldn't talk to her for a week."
"Yeah. That's pretty much how it is at my house. Me and my brother are always fighting. Me and my sister Mai, on the other hand, get along great. She's Baiko's twin, but they don't get along either."
"You have a sister? Kami, I'm jealous," she sighed. "I've always wanted a sister. It's easy to say that Chi-Chi is like a sister, but of course its not the same…How old is Mai?"
"Sixteen, but she's very smart for her age. She goes to a private school in Tokyo."
"Really? Which one?"
"Taikato Institute."
"You're not serious!" Bulma practically yelled, slapping her hands on the table before her. "I've been getting letters from them since I was eight!"
"Eight?" Omezo baulked. "Kami, you're smarter than I thought. Mai's only been there since last year…Why didn't you go? Aren't you bored with your classes at Orange Star?"
"Yeah," she laughed. "Very. But I wanted to stay with my friends, and my parents didn't have a problem with that so I stayed."
"Well I'm glad you did," Omezo said, looking out the window at the parking lot. Bulma smiled and reached across the table to grab his hand. He looked up, surprised.
"I'm glad you're the guy I picked for this. I didn't think I'd end up having such a good time."
Omezo looked directly into her eyes, holding them for a long while. And then the food arrived and they didn't mention it again.
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"So, how's the U.S.?" Bulma asked, curling up comfortably on her bed, the phone nestled on her shoulder.
"It's boring," 17 sighed, "and I miss Maris. I just talked to her ten minutes ago and I'm going crazy."
"Well I'm sorry I'm not as entertaining."
"Shut up," he laughed. "You know what I mean."
"I trust the concerts are going well. I haven't seen anything on the news about you guys."
"Yes, Vegeta's behaving himself. He's actually been in his room most of the time…Alone."
"Where is he now?"
"Why? Do you want to talk to him? Do you maybe have something to tell him?"
"Hey! I'm trying. It isn't my fault that things come up when I try to tell him…So where is he?"
"18 took him out since he hasn't left the room since we got here. Well, except for concerts. But then he locks himself in his room again. I don't know what's going on with him, but it's starting to worry me. He's NEVER been like this before…I think—Now don't yell at me—but I think he's taking your break-up really hard. Especially when he thinks you're seeing someone else."
"Why do you guys insist that? 18 and Goku say the same thing. Chi-Chi and Krillin and Maris never say that."
"Well I think its fair to say we know him better. We've all talked about it and we think he—"
"You think he's in love with me," Bulma groaned, rolling her eyes. "And I think you're all ridiculous. How can you think he could love anyone? Especially me."
"What do you mean, especially you?"
"He seemed pretty insistent on hurting me."
"He was scared, Bulma. He's never felt love for another person before. Not really. I mean, of course he loves his mother and he loved his father, but I mean true love. And before you say it, no, I'm not trying to justify the way he hurt you. I'm just trying to help you understand him."
"Understand him? I think I have a grasp on who he is pretty well. Besides, you're just telling me what you think. You don't know for sure. And I think you're all insane to think that. He loves himself too much to love another person."
"Look, I'm sorry, but that's how I perceive his behavior lately. He's never acted this way and it's only been since your break-up. The morning after he cheated on you, he got on the bus fuming mad and wouldn't talk to anyone until 18 confronted him about where he was the night before. Usually after he's been with someone he won't shut up about it."
"Can we please talk about something else?" Bulma sighed. But immediately after a wide smile graced her lips. "Guess what."
"What?"
"I found out the sex of the baby today."
"Really!? Kami, tell me."
"It's a boy!" she all but cheered. "Just like Chi's baby. We're going to have boys together!"
"That's great!" 17 sighed happily. "When you tell Vegeta he might actually not be completely pissed." And as soon as the words passed his lips, he knew they were wrong. That was not what she needed to hear right then.
"Might not be completely pissed?" Bulma scoffed. "If he's in the least bit angry then he has more problems than a son to raise."
"I'm sorry, B, but I can't pretend that you not telling him his right. No matter what he's done he deserves to know you're pregnant. I don't see how you could have gone this long without telling him. Aren't you anxious to see his reaction? If nothing more than to get a rise out of him?"
"17, please. I really, really don't want to talk about this. I told you, I've been trying to tell him but I just can't right now. I promised 18 I'd tell him before I started to show, and that's as good as I can do right now. If I don't tell him before then, 18 is going to. So he'll find out before the baby is born either way. You can all relax."
"Fine," 17 sighed. "I'll drop it."
"Thank you."
"So…What have you been up to this week?"
"Not much. School, work, doctor's. I went on a date with Omezo and—"
"A real date?"
"Kami no," Bulma laughed. "A mock date, of course. But I had a much better time than I thought I would. I've always seen him walking around school and never thought twice. Who knew jocks had personalities. Or such great ones. He's really starting to grow on me."
"Grow on you like you like him? To actually date him, like him?"
"Calm down, 17. No, I mean I'm getting to know the guy that's my boyfriend to the public. Which I should have done before, but it works this way too. I mean, shouldn't he be a good guy? I don't think 18 had jerks in mind when she came to me with the idea. And I don't think you'd like me hanging around another Vegeta. Vegeta you know, but a guy just like him that you and 18 and Goku have no control over, well, you guys would really have a reason to freak out."
"I know, I know," he sighed. "It's just that when you and Vegeta got together I thought it was really for real. He's had girlfriends in the past, but something was different about your relationship."
"If you could call it that," she said under her breath.
"I mean it. He was a completely different person for a month. He was the most civil he's been with his mom in a long time. He helped Goku out with shopping for the baby. But then that night on tour he just snapped at us for no reason and stormed off the bus. All he said was he'd be back in time to leave…If he didn't fall in love with you then at least your friendship meant something to him."
"That's slightly more believable. Look, I'll tell you what. When he gets in, if its not too late, have him give me a call. I'm not promising to tell him about the baby, but I would like to talk to him since I haven't since you guys left last week."
"Can you do me one favor?"
"Hmm?"
"Try not to mention Omezo. And if he brings it up, don't gloat about it."
"I should have a right to—"
"Right now you're keeping him from his child. I think that's enough."
Bulma sighed deeply, but she knew he was right. After all, they were supposed to be friends now. What kind of friends rub salt in wounds?
"Ok. I promise I won't. I just hope he doesn't get down my throat about it. I don't think it's any of his concern."
"You made it his concern when you told us not to tell him Omezo was a fake. Just be nice and I'll make him promise to do the same."
"Aww, what great friends we are," she laughed. "Having to promise to bite our tongues just to have a normal conversation. I'm going to kill my father for this."
"What'd you mean?"
"If he didn't give me those tickets I would have never met Vegeta and none of this would be happening."
"Yeah, but then you wouldn't have met me, or 18, or Goku either."
"And you wouldn't have met Maris."
"I wasn't going to say that."
"I know. But you were thinking it."
A heavy blush crept across 17's cheeks and he was glad it was only a phone conversation.
"Well, I've got to get going. Me and Goku have some things to go over tonight. I'll call in a week or so to check in. Give Maris a hug for me tomorrow."
"Right. Good luck with the tour."
"Good luck with Vegeta."
"Thanks. I'll need it."
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Bulma stood naked in front of the full-length mirror in her bedroom. She looked the same from the front, but when she turned to the side the slightest bump could be seen. Placing her hands on her belly, she let out a soft sigh. Today was the first day she would have to face Vegeta after beginning to show. At school she made sure her already baggy clothes were even baggier to compensate for the small belly. But she doubted that trick would work on Vegeta. Even Omezo had noticed the other day when she hugged him good-bye outside a café. His eyes went wide for a moment and he barely spoke a word the rest of the day.
"You can do this Bulma," she said angrily to her reflection. "You can build a motorcycle in two days, this shouldn't be a problem."
She shook her head sorrowfully and went to dress, the phone conversation she'd had earlier with Vegeta on a constant loop in her mind. He knew something was wrong. Her voice must have been shaking. She was shaking right now just thinking about it.
"I thought everyone was coming over tonight," Vegeta said, confused. "Shouldn't you be in school right now?"
"I took the day off," Bulma said, curling the phone cord around her finger. "Please just come over at noon. We can have lunch and talk."
"Why can't you just tell me over the phone?"
"Tell you what?"
"Ok. Have it your way."
Bulma took a deep breath as she opened her bedroom door and started for the living room. In ten minutes Vegeta would be here, and she would have to break the news to him and explain why she'd waited this long to tell him. She was almost down the stairs when, in her nervousness, she tripped on the last step and almost fell to the floor. Luckily the wall extended slightly farther than the staircase and she found her balance before it was too late.
"Great," she sighed. "Just how I wanted to start the day."
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Vegeta paced the length of his room, glancing at the clock every few seconds to check the time. It was 11:40. In twenty minutes he was expected at Bulma's and he didn't know if he could make it. For the entire trip to the states the only thing he could thing of was her; her bright blue eyes, her flowing aqua hair, the way she dressed, the way her nose wrinkled when he annoyed her. And the more he thought about her, the more distracted he became and the worse the shows got. By the end of the tour he was so wound up that the crowd actually booed him. He recovered, thankfully, but he would never forget the feeling.
"Kami," he groaned as he slipped on his boots and headed downstairs. His mother stood at the bottom of the stairs, as if she knew he'd be coming down at that moment.
"Going to Bulma's?" she asked, a sly grin on her features. Bulma had called her before calling Vegeta and told her she planned to tell him today.
"Eavesdropping is so unflattering," he spat, pushing by her. "No wonder you haven't dated since dad died."
The moment he got in his car he knew he'd crossed the line. Slowly he got back out, met his mother in the den, and handed her the pamphlet he'd been carrying around since the airport the night before.
"I'll explain when I get back."
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"What!?" Bulma snapped, shooting to her feet. "I'm sorry. I thought you just said you couldn't be friends with me anymore. I must have heard wrong, because I know you wouldn't be that cruel and stupid."
Vegeta hung his head and sighed, content to stay seated.
"Tell me you're playing a cruel joke and I'll laugh."
"Woman, it isn't a joke. I've thought of nothing but you since I left a month ago and it has to stop. Our friendship is meaningless."
Bulma narrowed her eyes more and crossed her arms over her chest. And they had had such a nice lunch a few moments ago. She'd brought him into the living room to give him the news, but instead he decided to ruin her life—again.
"Meaningless? Alright. I'll play your game. But if it's so meaningless then why did you agree to be friends again? I didn't force you to say yes. Was this another sick plan? Another game? Another way to drag me along and hurt me?" Bulma stopped and pointed to the door. "Just get out. I'm under enough stress as it is; I do NOT need to deal with this right now. I'll discuss it with you later."
"You don't understand," Vegeta sighed, and this time he did stand. "I'm doing you a favor. I'm going against my instincts and I'm helping you."
"Is that supposed to make me feel better?" she seethed, though the anger was slowly leaving her voice. She couldn't believe this was happening—again.
"Do you remember that night I left you? A few days after New Year's."
"Of course. Getting crushed tends to leave an impression."
"And you remember what I told you?"
"You said you were leaving me so you didn't hurt me, but if that were true then you wouldn't have come back. You wouldn't have ruined my life."
"Ruined your life? Bulma, we dated for six weeks."
"There's so much you don't know and couldn't begin to understand. Get out before I call the police. I'm sure they'd believe me over you."
"Fine," Vegeta sighed and headed for the door. She followed him, only to make sure he left and didn't hang around in her driveway, waiting to continue the fight. If there was one thing she couldn't stand it was having to listen to someone who she knew was wrong. When they reached the front porch he turned and looked her directly in the eyes. "I'm sorry," he said. He reached up to touch her face, but she immediately slapped his hand away.
"Oh Vegeta," she sighed, her tone that of mock pity. Her anger was returning. "How unlikely of you, but you must never apologize for something you meant to do."
"That's not why I'm sorry." His voice was lower and more distant. He was laying everything he had out in the open, and for once pride was nowhere to behold.
"What for then?"
"For you being the one that finally opened my eyes. You were never supposed to get hurt, and I was never meant to know you." He turned to leave, and Bulma didn't even consider stopping him. Her anger blinded her need, and she needed him.
Let him go. Just let him go.
"I took your advice," he said over his shoulder. "I'm taking my mother to Europe. Just me and her. I plan to forget you there." He opened his car door and climbed in, not giving her a second glance as he started the engine and drove away.
"By the way," she whispered, staring at the space he had once occupied, tearing freely rolling down her cheeks, "I'm pregnant…"
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Vegeta took a deep breath in an attempt to calm his nerves, though he only managed to put more strain on them. Beside him his mother read a magazine, her eyes darting in his direction every few seconds. An hour ago she'd jumped down his throat for leaving Bulma, and now, after having calmed down, they were on a plane for France. She couldn't remember a time when she'd been this happy and sad at the same time.
"Do you need to say something?" she finally asked, putting her magazine back into its holder.
"What makes you say that?" His voice was almost trembling. Only one other time had he acted this way.
"Please, Vegeta, you know I'm always here for you. I love you and I want what's best for you, and while that isn't escaping to Europe, I'm here one hundred percent. I'll love you know matter what."
"Like dad," he sighed, his eyes glued to the evening sky.
"Yes, like your father. No other man can take his place. That's why dating was never an option for me."
"You know—"
"I know. Now tell me what you're thinking."
Vegeta sighed deeply and looked at his mother, the sadness in his eyes so deep it almost made her cry looking at him.
"I ruined my life," he whispered, his face finally shedding its hard outer layer. "But that doesn't matter…because I ruined her life and I can't undo that."
Mrs. Ouji gasped silently in an effort to calm her sadness. She reached over and pulled her son to her, resting his head on her shoulder. To her complete surprise he allowed her to do this, even going so far as to clutch her arm. And then, for the first time since his father's death, he accepted comfort…and cried.
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---Chapter 8! :) I promise that Vegeta will find out in the next chapter. You can count on it. This is exactly how I wanted it to be set up, and now that it is I can finally have Vegeta find out about his little bundle of joy. So hold on! Heehee…I really hope you all liked that chapter. I know, I know, they aren't friends, but how reliable is Vegeta's word? LOL. Don't worry, everything will work out for the best in the end.
REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Reviews=More Chapters)
Next time: Vegeta and his mother go to Europe, and 18 pays a visit to Bulma…Things aren't looking so good.
Note: Sorry for the long wait, but I was out of town for a few days. Hopefully I can get this story close to done before I go to college in 2 weeks…Ahhhh! College! Someone put me out of my misery!
Note2: Don't worry about Vegeta's OOC-ness. He'll be back to normal in the next chapter…Everyone breaks down sometimes.
"Are you going or what?" Vegeta hissed from the fire, not looking up.
17 shook his head sadly and exited the room, the vision of Bulma's burning face forever imprinted on his mind, and the look in Vegeta's eyes as he stared at the flames.
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Bulma let out a burst of laughter and threw her head back. All eyes in the restaurant were on her, but she ignored them, as she always did. Across the table Omezo chuckled lightly to himself and took a sip of tea.
"That's crazy," she sighed, catching her breath. "And he never found out it was you?"
"Nope," Omezo laughed. "I told my mom it was me a few weeks later and even she couldn't stop laughing. But that's what he gets for inking my tea when I had her over. He's lucky I'm not that creative, or he would have really paid."
"It must be great to have siblings. Someone to terrorize. I have friends that are twins and they're always at odds. A little while ago one of them gave all the other one's clothes away and left them with only one hideous outfit. He was so mad he wouldn't talk to her for a week."
"Yeah. That's pretty much how it is at my house. Me and my brother are always fighting. Me and my sister Mai, on the other hand, get along great. She's Baiko's twin, but they don't get along either."
"You have a sister? Kami, I'm jealous," she sighed. "I've always wanted a sister. It's easy to say that Chi-Chi is like a sister, but of course its not the same…How old is Mai?"
"Sixteen, but she's very smart for her age. She goes to a private school in Tokyo."
"Really? Which one?"
"Taikato Institute."
"You're not serious!" Bulma practically yelled, slapping her hands on the table before her. "I've been getting letters from them since I was eight!"
"Eight?" Omezo baulked. "Kami, you're smarter than I thought. Mai's only been there since last year…Why didn't you go? Aren't you bored with your classes at Orange Star?"
"Yeah," she laughed. "Very. But I wanted to stay with my friends, and my parents didn't have a problem with that so I stayed."
"Well I'm glad you did," Omezo said, looking out the window at the parking lot. Bulma smiled and reached across the table to grab his hand. He looked up, surprised.
"I'm glad you're the guy I picked for this. I didn't think I'd end up having such a good time."
Omezo looked directly into her eyes, holding them for a long while. And then the food arrived and they didn't mention it again.
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"So, how's the U.S.?" Bulma asked, curling up comfortably on her bed, the phone nestled on her shoulder.
"It's boring," 17 sighed, "and I miss Maris. I just talked to her ten minutes ago and I'm going crazy."
"Well I'm sorry I'm not as entertaining."
"Shut up," he laughed. "You know what I mean."
"I trust the concerts are going well. I haven't seen anything on the news about you guys."
"Yes, Vegeta's behaving himself. He's actually been in his room most of the time…Alone."
"Where is he now?"
"Why? Do you want to talk to him? Do you maybe have something to tell him?"
"Hey! I'm trying. It isn't my fault that things come up when I try to tell him…So where is he?"
"18 took him out since he hasn't left the room since we got here. Well, except for concerts. But then he locks himself in his room again. I don't know what's going on with him, but it's starting to worry me. He's NEVER been like this before…I think—Now don't yell at me—but I think he's taking your break-up really hard. Especially when he thinks you're seeing someone else."
"Why do you guys insist that? 18 and Goku say the same thing. Chi-Chi and Krillin and Maris never say that."
"Well I think its fair to say we know him better. We've all talked about it and we think he—"
"You think he's in love with me," Bulma groaned, rolling her eyes. "And I think you're all ridiculous. How can you think he could love anyone? Especially me."
"What do you mean, especially you?"
"He seemed pretty insistent on hurting me."
"He was scared, Bulma. He's never felt love for another person before. Not really. I mean, of course he loves his mother and he loved his father, but I mean true love. And before you say it, no, I'm not trying to justify the way he hurt you. I'm just trying to help you understand him."
"Understand him? I think I have a grasp on who he is pretty well. Besides, you're just telling me what you think. You don't know for sure. And I think you're all insane to think that. He loves himself too much to love another person."
"Look, I'm sorry, but that's how I perceive his behavior lately. He's never acted this way and it's only been since your break-up. The morning after he cheated on you, he got on the bus fuming mad and wouldn't talk to anyone until 18 confronted him about where he was the night before. Usually after he's been with someone he won't shut up about it."
"Can we please talk about something else?" Bulma sighed. But immediately after a wide smile graced her lips. "Guess what."
"What?"
"I found out the sex of the baby today."
"Really!? Kami, tell me."
"It's a boy!" she all but cheered. "Just like Chi's baby. We're going to have boys together!"
"That's great!" 17 sighed happily. "When you tell Vegeta he might actually not be completely pissed." And as soon as the words passed his lips, he knew they were wrong. That was not what she needed to hear right then.
"Might not be completely pissed?" Bulma scoffed. "If he's in the least bit angry then he has more problems than a son to raise."
"I'm sorry, B, but I can't pretend that you not telling him his right. No matter what he's done he deserves to know you're pregnant. I don't see how you could have gone this long without telling him. Aren't you anxious to see his reaction? If nothing more than to get a rise out of him?"
"17, please. I really, really don't want to talk about this. I told you, I've been trying to tell him but I just can't right now. I promised 18 I'd tell him before I started to show, and that's as good as I can do right now. If I don't tell him before then, 18 is going to. So he'll find out before the baby is born either way. You can all relax."
"Fine," 17 sighed. "I'll drop it."
"Thank you."
"So…What have you been up to this week?"
"Not much. School, work, doctor's. I went on a date with Omezo and—"
"A real date?"
"Kami no," Bulma laughed. "A mock date, of course. But I had a much better time than I thought I would. I've always seen him walking around school and never thought twice. Who knew jocks had personalities. Or such great ones. He's really starting to grow on me."
"Grow on you like you like him? To actually date him, like him?"
"Calm down, 17. No, I mean I'm getting to know the guy that's my boyfriend to the public. Which I should have done before, but it works this way too. I mean, shouldn't he be a good guy? I don't think 18 had jerks in mind when she came to me with the idea. And I don't think you'd like me hanging around another Vegeta. Vegeta you know, but a guy just like him that you and 18 and Goku have no control over, well, you guys would really have a reason to freak out."
"I know, I know," he sighed. "It's just that when you and Vegeta got together I thought it was really for real. He's had girlfriends in the past, but something was different about your relationship."
"If you could call it that," she said under her breath.
"I mean it. He was a completely different person for a month. He was the most civil he's been with his mom in a long time. He helped Goku out with shopping for the baby. But then that night on tour he just snapped at us for no reason and stormed off the bus. All he said was he'd be back in time to leave…If he didn't fall in love with you then at least your friendship meant something to him."
"That's slightly more believable. Look, I'll tell you what. When he gets in, if its not too late, have him give me a call. I'm not promising to tell him about the baby, but I would like to talk to him since I haven't since you guys left last week."
"Can you do me one favor?"
"Hmm?"
"Try not to mention Omezo. And if he brings it up, don't gloat about it."
"I should have a right to—"
"Right now you're keeping him from his child. I think that's enough."
Bulma sighed deeply, but she knew he was right. After all, they were supposed to be friends now. What kind of friends rub salt in wounds?
"Ok. I promise I won't. I just hope he doesn't get down my throat about it. I don't think it's any of his concern."
"You made it his concern when you told us not to tell him Omezo was a fake. Just be nice and I'll make him promise to do the same."
"Aww, what great friends we are," she laughed. "Having to promise to bite our tongues just to have a normal conversation. I'm going to kill my father for this."
"What'd you mean?"
"If he didn't give me those tickets I would have never met Vegeta and none of this would be happening."
"Yeah, but then you wouldn't have met me, or 18, or Goku either."
"And you wouldn't have met Maris."
"I wasn't going to say that."
"I know. But you were thinking it."
A heavy blush crept across 17's cheeks and he was glad it was only a phone conversation.
"Well, I've got to get going. Me and Goku have some things to go over tonight. I'll call in a week or so to check in. Give Maris a hug for me tomorrow."
"Right. Good luck with the tour."
"Good luck with Vegeta."
"Thanks. I'll need it."
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Bulma stood naked in front of the full-length mirror in her bedroom. She looked the same from the front, but when she turned to the side the slightest bump could be seen. Placing her hands on her belly, she let out a soft sigh. Today was the first day she would have to face Vegeta after beginning to show. At school she made sure her already baggy clothes were even baggier to compensate for the small belly. But she doubted that trick would work on Vegeta. Even Omezo had noticed the other day when she hugged him good-bye outside a café. His eyes went wide for a moment and he barely spoke a word the rest of the day.
"You can do this Bulma," she said angrily to her reflection. "You can build a motorcycle in two days, this shouldn't be a problem."
She shook her head sorrowfully and went to dress, the phone conversation she'd had earlier with Vegeta on a constant loop in her mind. He knew something was wrong. Her voice must have been shaking. She was shaking right now just thinking about it.
"I thought everyone was coming over tonight," Vegeta said, confused. "Shouldn't you be in school right now?"
"I took the day off," Bulma said, curling the phone cord around her finger. "Please just come over at noon. We can have lunch and talk."
"Why can't you just tell me over the phone?"
"Tell you what?"
"Ok. Have it your way."
Bulma took a deep breath as she opened her bedroom door and started for the living room. In ten minutes Vegeta would be here, and she would have to break the news to him and explain why she'd waited this long to tell him. She was almost down the stairs when, in her nervousness, she tripped on the last step and almost fell to the floor. Luckily the wall extended slightly farther than the staircase and she found her balance before it was too late.
"Great," she sighed. "Just how I wanted to start the day."
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Vegeta paced the length of his room, glancing at the clock every few seconds to check the time. It was 11:40. In twenty minutes he was expected at Bulma's and he didn't know if he could make it. For the entire trip to the states the only thing he could thing of was her; her bright blue eyes, her flowing aqua hair, the way she dressed, the way her nose wrinkled when he annoyed her. And the more he thought about her, the more distracted he became and the worse the shows got. By the end of the tour he was so wound up that the crowd actually booed him. He recovered, thankfully, but he would never forget the feeling.
"Kami," he groaned as he slipped on his boots and headed downstairs. His mother stood at the bottom of the stairs, as if she knew he'd be coming down at that moment.
"Going to Bulma's?" she asked, a sly grin on her features. Bulma had called her before calling Vegeta and told her she planned to tell him today.
"Eavesdropping is so unflattering," he spat, pushing by her. "No wonder you haven't dated since dad died."
The moment he got in his car he knew he'd crossed the line. Slowly he got back out, met his mother in the den, and handed her the pamphlet he'd been carrying around since the airport the night before.
"I'll explain when I get back."
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"What!?" Bulma snapped, shooting to her feet. "I'm sorry. I thought you just said you couldn't be friends with me anymore. I must have heard wrong, because I know you wouldn't be that cruel and stupid."
Vegeta hung his head and sighed, content to stay seated.
"Tell me you're playing a cruel joke and I'll laugh."
"Woman, it isn't a joke. I've thought of nothing but you since I left a month ago and it has to stop. Our friendship is meaningless."
Bulma narrowed her eyes more and crossed her arms over her chest. And they had had such a nice lunch a few moments ago. She'd brought him into the living room to give him the news, but instead he decided to ruin her life—again.
"Meaningless? Alright. I'll play your game. But if it's so meaningless then why did you agree to be friends again? I didn't force you to say yes. Was this another sick plan? Another game? Another way to drag me along and hurt me?" Bulma stopped and pointed to the door. "Just get out. I'm under enough stress as it is; I do NOT need to deal with this right now. I'll discuss it with you later."
"You don't understand," Vegeta sighed, and this time he did stand. "I'm doing you a favor. I'm going against my instincts and I'm helping you."
"Is that supposed to make me feel better?" she seethed, though the anger was slowly leaving her voice. She couldn't believe this was happening—again.
"Do you remember that night I left you? A few days after New Year's."
"Of course. Getting crushed tends to leave an impression."
"And you remember what I told you?"
"You said you were leaving me so you didn't hurt me, but if that were true then you wouldn't have come back. You wouldn't have ruined my life."
"Ruined your life? Bulma, we dated for six weeks."
"There's so much you don't know and couldn't begin to understand. Get out before I call the police. I'm sure they'd believe me over you."
"Fine," Vegeta sighed and headed for the door. She followed him, only to make sure he left and didn't hang around in her driveway, waiting to continue the fight. If there was one thing she couldn't stand it was having to listen to someone who she knew was wrong. When they reached the front porch he turned and looked her directly in the eyes. "I'm sorry," he said. He reached up to touch her face, but she immediately slapped his hand away.
"Oh Vegeta," she sighed, her tone that of mock pity. Her anger was returning. "How unlikely of you, but you must never apologize for something you meant to do."
"That's not why I'm sorry." His voice was lower and more distant. He was laying everything he had out in the open, and for once pride was nowhere to behold.
"What for then?"
"For you being the one that finally opened my eyes. You were never supposed to get hurt, and I was never meant to know you." He turned to leave, and Bulma didn't even consider stopping him. Her anger blinded her need, and she needed him.
Let him go. Just let him go.
"I took your advice," he said over his shoulder. "I'm taking my mother to Europe. Just me and her. I plan to forget you there." He opened his car door and climbed in, not giving her a second glance as he started the engine and drove away.
"By the way," she whispered, staring at the space he had once occupied, tearing freely rolling down her cheeks, "I'm pregnant…"
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Vegeta took a deep breath in an attempt to calm his nerves, though he only managed to put more strain on them. Beside him his mother read a magazine, her eyes darting in his direction every few seconds. An hour ago she'd jumped down his throat for leaving Bulma, and now, after having calmed down, they were on a plane for France. She couldn't remember a time when she'd been this happy and sad at the same time.
"Do you need to say something?" she finally asked, putting her magazine back into its holder.
"What makes you say that?" His voice was almost trembling. Only one other time had he acted this way.
"Please, Vegeta, you know I'm always here for you. I love you and I want what's best for you, and while that isn't escaping to Europe, I'm here one hundred percent. I'll love you know matter what."
"Like dad," he sighed, his eyes glued to the evening sky.
"Yes, like your father. No other man can take his place. That's why dating was never an option for me."
"You know—"
"I know. Now tell me what you're thinking."
Vegeta sighed deeply and looked at his mother, the sadness in his eyes so deep it almost made her cry looking at him.
"I ruined my life," he whispered, his face finally shedding its hard outer layer. "But that doesn't matter…because I ruined her life and I can't undo that."
Mrs. Ouji gasped silently in an effort to calm her sadness. She reached over and pulled her son to her, resting his head on her shoulder. To her complete surprise he allowed her to do this, even going so far as to clutch her arm. And then, for the first time since his father's death, he accepted comfort…and cried.
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---Chapter 8! :) I promise that Vegeta will find out in the next chapter. You can count on it. This is exactly how I wanted it to be set up, and now that it is I can finally have Vegeta find out about his little bundle of joy. So hold on! Heehee…I really hope you all liked that chapter. I know, I know, they aren't friends, but how reliable is Vegeta's word? LOL. Don't worry, everything will work out for the best in the end.
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Next time: Vegeta and his mother go to Europe, and 18 pays a visit to Bulma…Things aren't looking so good.
Note: Sorry for the long wait, but I was out of town for a few days. Hopefully I can get this story close to done before I go to college in 2 weeks…Ahhhh! College! Someone put me out of my misery!
Note2: Don't worry about Vegeta's OOC-ness. He'll be back to normal in the next chapter…Everyone breaks down sometimes.