Sorry this chapter is up so late. I wanted to put it up at noon because I had to take the PSAT at school, but right as I got home, I was invited to go out to lunch with my mom, my dad, my sister, my uncles, my aunts, my cousins and my grandmother, and I didn't get home until later. To top it all off, this chapter is a little short, too. Sorry!

Insert standard disclaimer here.

After that Christmas, things had returned to normal. Dr. Briefs was working on a way to short-out machines with a bomb, in case the androids came for them. Bunny baked various goods for her guest—using the new oven mitts, of course—while Vegeta threw himself back into training.

Bulma was the only person who seemed to be having problems. She had broken her engagement off, and even though she knew it was for the best, she was still terribly lonely. She was also troubled by Vegeta.

The perfect opportunity to end her confusion presented itself two days after Christmas. Both of her parents had gone on a business trip. Vegeta was sitting right in front of her, eating lunch. He had been training, so he was decked out in the shorts Bulma had given him, his bare chest glistening with sweat…. Bulma had a difficult time shaking off the vulgar thoughts in her mind, but she managed.

"Vegeta?"

"What?"

"Do you remember…what happened under the mistletoe?"

"No, what happened?" he asked sarcastically.

She frowned at him. "Come on. You KNOW what I mean."

"Well, what about it?"

The words that she had thought of became paste in her mouth, preventing her from saying anything right.

"I, uh, was just thinking: why did you…do that?"

"You said it was tradition, and traditions are made to be kept."

She snorted. "It's tradition to be nice to your hostess, but that doesn't seem to faze you."

"What's your point?"

"The POINT is—" Bulma sighed. "I just wanted to know if that was…real." Having finished his meal, Vegeta rose.

"Whatever. I'm going to train." He turned to leave, but felt a hand on his arm. Bulma pulled on him so he faced her.

"Was it?" she whispered. Vegeta didn't respond; he couldn't. He didn't know, either. Somehow, his eyes relayed this information to her.

Neither one of them knew what had happened.

But Bulma realized that she wouldn't be at rest until she figured it out. Her hand found its way up the curve of his neck to his cheek. She hesitated, then leaned in and gently pressed her lips to his.

Vegeta didn't respond. Bulma could taste his doubt, his fear—wait, fear? Was he actually scared of her, of this closeness? She broke away slowly and tried to examine his eyes. Their usual coldness had melted away, and she found herself looking into his soul. What she saw surprised her.

Never had she seen such passion. So many feelings that had been packed away were now pouring out into—they refroze. He pushed her away, demanding scornfully, "Don't touch me like that."

Curious about this new discovery, Bulma decided to press him. "Or what?" she asked alluringly. Vegeta stiffened visibly as she approached him and nuzzled his neck.

"You don't know what you're dealing with," he said sharply, but his words lacked the normal sting.

"I think I do," she murmured.

Her breath felt cool on his neck, causing him to shiver slightly. His hair stood on end, he could feel it, and his heart started to pound. 'What's she doing to me?' He gulped, trying to rid himself of the sudden dryness in his throat. He finally managed a smirk.

"No, you don't." Sweeping her into his arms, he kissed her mouth as he started up the stairs. Their feelings exploded into that single touch. When he broke away, Bulma was too dazed to notice where she was. She reached up for more—

The Prince dropped her into the tub and turned on the shower. "This should cool you down a bit."

"VEGETA! I'll GET you for this!" He flinched when she screeched at him, but laughed at her just the same.

"I'm going to train now."

After the incident with the shower, Bulma decided that the Saiyan Prince wasn't harboring feelings for her. 'He had just gotten caught up in the moment,' she assured herself over and over.

But if that was true, then why did she catch him staring at her sometimes?

Instead of feeling better, Bulma was only more confused. And what made it worse was when she caught herself staring at him. This just plain scared her. Sure, he was attractive, smart, sexy—wait, sexy? What had gotten into her lately?

So she started avoiding him. Every time he was eating lunch, she'd be working in her lab. The only time Bulma left the house is when she heard the Gravity Room turn on. She noticed that Vegeta didn't ask her to fix the room anymore or demand a meal at six in the morning. He must be avoiding her, too.

Of course, it's hard to avoid someone if he lives in the same house. The next time they saw each other was on New Year's Eve.

Dun dun dun…the final chapter is coming. Are Bulma and Vegeta gonna get together? If you don't know the answer to that question, I'm ashamed and embarrassed for you. Turn off your PC and walk away.

Please review! Thanks so much!