Chapter 5
It was nearly 5p.m. when they got back to capsule corp. Bulma met them at the door. "Why don't you guys change and come out back?" Upstairs in her room Tai changed into a loose black mini skirt and a green tank top. On her feet she wore traditional Komiaten sandals. Unaccustomed to her clothes, she slowly walked down the stairs and outback. Her mouth dropped. No one was there. Tai could feel her bottom lip tremble. "Don't tell me your going to start bawling?" she spun around and saw Max leaning against the doorway. "No. I'm not that weak. Where is every one?" (Since she had arrived all of the Z fighters had met her.) Max sauntered over to her. "C'mon Bulma wants us to go pick up some pizza." Tai's eyes brightened. "Okay. What car are we taking?" Max smirked. "Who said we were taking a car?" Before Tai could speak Max scooped her up into his arms and shot into the sky.
Tai squeaked and clung to Max. After a moment she asked stunned, "You know how to fly! I was never taught! Who taught you?" Max looked down at her and smiled. "My father taught me." Squinting (because of the wind) Tai stared at him. "Your father? Who is he?" Max looked deep in thought. After a moment of silence he replied quietly, "Vegeta." Tai opened her mouth but shut it as they began to descend.
They landed in a deserted ally way a street away from the pizza place. When they arrived Max pushed Tai forward and whispered, "You order. It'll help with your people skills." Tai glared at him but went up and ordered the food. As they were leaving neither of them noticed the spying eyes…
The ride back was uneventful; since they had so many boxes of pizza (saiyans are such pigs) Max had uncapsolized a car and they drove off into the sunset…. J/K! Max uncapsolized a car and the two drove on in silence. "Sooo Tai…are you planning on going to school? Pan and Bra are still in high school; their last year. Goten and Trunks are in their second year of collage." Tai nodded and asked, "How about you?" Max blushed. "Well… to tell you the truth I'm only 17, but I graduated from collage when I was 11 years old. I'm what they call a genius." Tai gave him a skeptical look. "Oh really? You could have fooled me. So you were a –what's that word Pan uses? – Oh yes! A nerd."
Max pulled over. "A nerd! Do I look like a nerd to you?" "Ummm…yes?" Tai gave him a mock serious look. Max raised an eyebrow. "Oh really? Would a nerd do this?" He grabbed her hair and pulled it softly. "Or this." He reached out his other hand and pulled her closer to him. Suddenly all the laughter fled from his eyes and a look of determination crossed his face. He whispered softly, "Or how about this…?" before Tai could move his lips touched hers lightly. He began to pull away but Tai pulled him back down. She crushed her mouth against his and kissed him. Max instantly responded and eagerly deepened the kiss. Then as suddenly as it started it finished. They both blushed and looked away. "Ummm… we should be getting back." Max's voice sounded strangely hoarse. "Ummm…of course…everyone must be…ah wondering where we are." Max pulled back onto the road and two drove on in silence.
When they reached the house Tai noticed it was pitch black. No lights were on. She frowned. Where was everyone? Max directed her to the kitchen and said, "put the pizza in the pantry and then meet me in the second largest reception room. Mom wants us to get some stuff in there." He turned and left. Tai scowled. Something strange was going on.
When she reached the room it was dark. Rolling her eyes upwards she silently prayed to Dende for patience. Flipping the switch she nearly collapsed as everyone she knew suddenly materialized and screamed surprise. Every one she knew swarmed up to her and began wishing her a happy birthday. Later when she finally found time to speak to Max she asked why Bulma had gone through the trouble of throwing a party for her. Max looked upwards. "Maybe Tai, it's because she cares for you. And lets not forget Bulma loves to throw parties." She nodded slowly. "Ohhhhhhhhh… well I think I'm going to head for bed. I'm beat." Max nodded and said, "Okay. I'll walk you back." She returned the nod. The two of them slipped off together.
As they walked back to the room, every few minutes Max would stare at Tai intently. Finally he asked hesitantly, "Hey…would you like me to teach you to fly?" they reached the room. They both paused and Tai said playfully, "Of course! Since you're a nerd it should be easy to teach me." Max laughed and tweaked her nose. "Hey! I thought we had established earlier that I'm not a nerd!" opening her door she stepped inside. "Oh no we didn't it's easy for nerds to kiss. G'night." She blew him a kiss and shut the door.