The rest of the day was filled with similar scenes. Instantly following her first class she heard the whispers fill the halls. Rumors had never been something she had to deal with. Sure there had been the talk on the streets and in the bars about her, but that had all been fact. They said she was dangerous, that was true, and that she was best left alone, it was a warning that a surprising large amount heeded.
When gang members warned others about a girl, it was best to take the murderer's advice and avoid the girl he avoids.
But as she was busy trying to find her way to her next class with no one willing to talk to her, only about her. So flagging down a teacher she got her directions. Her second class was English Literature. She played question answer time again and felt a twinge of respect when the woman told her to get her ass in a chair. She gave Bulma the speech of how she didn't care who she was and that if she didn't do her work she would be out of the class. Bulma had smiled.
She had been given a book, the class was halfway through it and the first and only test for it would be in three weeks. Considering she had never read the book she knew that this class was one she would have to actually work in. She had simply read the summary and got to work.
She didn't see the slight gleam of approval in the hard teachers eyes as she began catching up.
Jess looked around the quiet room in silence. She didn't know where she was but it certainly wasn't anywhere those thugs could have taken her. Slowly she began to remove the heart monitors and IV needles. From what she could see the place was clean. And she was naked. Taking the sheet with her she weakly tested out her legs. They were weak but still useable. 'Alright where the hell am I?' This was starting to be an easy exit; there was only one door.
A few stumbles, a wall for support and the door was open. And what a lovely hall it was too, a clean one, a white one, and a gray carpet. If either of her mothers had a say in the decorating of this hall it would no longer be recognizable. With two options she took to the right. The staircase on the left leading up was her deciding factor.
The hall opened up into a kitchen. She was halfway to the table, which was only a small distance from the fridge when the door opened. Book in front of her face a girl walked in. It was only when two blue eyes glanced up that they saw each other.
"Bu-."
"Jess!" The book hit the floor and Jess soon found herself in her little sister's arms. "My Kami I thought you would never wake up." In a very short time Jess was given what didn't need cooking from the fridge and Bulma explained to her why she was in her adopted home.
"Nek, and Cho are at work. And yes I mean work. Daddy gave them jobs and you have one open in hacking prevention if you're interested." Jess smiled carefully but went rigid when a man walked in. She didn't know him but the amount of muscle he was sporting and the scars over his shirtless form made her recall why she was in as bad as shape as she was.
She knew a man had entered the moment Jess had gone stiff. Turning she took in the half dressed Vegeta. Without words she tried to project the fact that her friend was terrified of him and for him to scram. He looked from her to Jess and then back to her. "The machine is broken again." His tone was, compared to normal, gentle. In truth it was a tone she had never heard coming from his throat. She frowned.
"That's nice, this is my problem how?" She mentally hit herself, he would leave so much sooner if she would only agree to his not so subtle demand. She had in turn bypassed the hint and ignored the warnings and insulted him anyway.
"You will fix it girl."
'Ooooh the dark voice. Ya I'm gonna listen to him, not.' Rolling her eyes she turned to try and clam her mentally scarred friend. She watched her brown eyes widen before two arms landed on either side of her and a warm breath by her ear. Her expression was blank mixed with annoyed. Turning in his arms she came face to face with his angled features. "Go." She stated slowly, insulting him with her tone. "Away." He didn't move, turning back to Jess she rolled her eyes. "Really I've been trying to train him but no success." She didn't get the norm reply and felt her heart sink. "How's that shock collar idea?" Jess bubbled a light laugh but didn't take her eyes off Vegeta.
"Its not."
"Want anything more to eat?"
"I'm full." Vegeta had yet to move but she was steadily becoming more and more aware of his breath on her neck.
"Want me to call them."
"You said they'll be here soon, I'll wait." Jess was still fixated on Vegeta and it was not in admiration. "You want to…" She sighed drawing a blank. "You want to see my-." She cut herself off and hit over her shoulder. She got his shoulder but grinned broadly at her achievement. Jess cracked a smile. "Want to see my lab?" Interest sparked in her sister's brown eyes and Bulma grinned even wider. "Come on." She used her best wheedling tone and knew she had her. "I've got my stuff in there. Some computers. I challenge you." She drawled out each word and at her challenge Jess stumbled to her feet.
"Challenge me will you. Ha, I taught you, you forget."
"And I beat you the last time we hacked, your point would be?" She stood as she spoke and realized her mistake when one masculine arm encircled her waist.
"You forget little one, you have yet to fix the machine." The combined sensation of his voice in her ear and his chest rumbling against her back did odd things to her insides, but her anger that he had brought fear back to Jess made her ignore it with ease.
"And it will stay that way, deal with the fact that my life does not revolve around you. Never has never will and-." She was cut off when a spinning disk also known as a plate hit the side of Vegeta's head. Gaping Bulma turned to Jess. She knew whom it had come from and the proof was the rest of the plates in her hand.
"Let her go." She was pale with fear but the anger in her eyes declared which emotion was in charge. Bulma wasn't the only one in the family that was protective. But the thought of what she had just done and to whom was not sitting well with her.
"Jess really I'm fine I can handle the Nean…der…thal." She stalled at the look coming from her friend. Jess who was normally laid back was rather frightening when angered. But then again so was Vegeta.
"Best not try that again onna."
"Hey! How come she's woman while I'm girl? She isn't that much older than me." He chuckled lightly and once again she felt her insides stir. She didn't know what the sensation meant but she was reasonably sure she didn't like it. Anything that disturbed her concentration was an annoyance and therefore bad.
"You are a girl because you are not yet a woman." She took only a second to figure his twisted logic. And in short forgot him.
"Who'd you screw?" Jess went red at the question and Bulma leaned forward only to be reminded of the arm around her middle.
"No one you know."
"Oooh you are so going to give me the juice. Vegeta let go I have an interrogation to begin."
"The machine girl."
"Ya ya later." She stumbled forward slightly upon release and proceeded to drag Jess into her lab. She had some serious gossiping to do before the adults made it back.
Well this took me long enough. Surprised aren't ya? Look I awoke sleeping beauty, and pointed out Bulma is attracted to Vegeta. What ya'll think?
~BUM~