Nightfall. The stars shone so brightly on this planet. They were so big, bright and gleaming. She smiled, just barely, as she observed them in silence. Chimera was in the house. She liked walking by herself at nights, it was a newly acquired habit. Chimera knew her well enough to give her that privacy. He had shut his mind off from her own. So now she walked slowly looking at the stars and thought of him. It wasn't hard to do. Whenever she closed her eyes, there he was. A constant reminder of her unhappiness. She could still see those coal black eyes, handsome features that used to leave her short of breath.

So far away.

She couldn't touch him, though she longed to. All cares aside, she wanted to bury her pain deep within and go back, back to him. She couldn't, he didn't love her. He didn't even trust her.

Her cheek still stung from that horrible blow. Physically, it hadn't been painful, but it had wounded her more deeply then anything else ever could. His eyes had been so angry, so full of hatred. A hatred she thought she'd never see. Oh well, she'd been wrong about a lot of things.

Life goes on.

But had it? Two whole years, passed by in slow torture of the soul, and she still saw his face as easily as she had in the past. He wasn't fading from her mind like she'd wanted him to.

Bulma had made a vow never to say his name again. She only referred to him in her mind as Him or He. She felt that if she spoke his name aloud, she'd die in self misery. She should be dead, Chimera was the only thing keeping her alive now.

The deep bond of companionship they shared was soothing and reliable, but it did not quench her need for affection. She wanted real arms to wrap around her once more. Wanted them to hold her to a firm chest with reassurance. No, never again.

A tear, just one more. She always cried at night. How could she not with thoughts of him. She'd never understood just how much she loved him. How much she relied on his company.

Sex wasn't what she yearned for. She'd soon learned that with fighting and death came satisfaction. However, how could she not miss making love to him. No, she just wanted...completion.

'Bulma...'

'What's wrong Chimera?'

'Message from Sed, a new target.'

'Can't he wait till morning?'

'You forget it's day time on Freda.'

'I guess I did. Give me a minute.' Bulma turned to go, angry that her solitude had be interrupted. Before she left to go, she turned back to the stars and found the light blue cluster in the distance. The Milky Way.

"Good night," she wished it. As she left, she replaced the cold iron cast upon her heart. The only one that had the key to it now was Chimera. Never again would she love another, nor forgive the love she had lost. He'd hurt her far more then any ever had.

However, to say never is to say forever. How can a heart hold true to such a finality? Only time can tell.

****

Author's Note: I promise that Bulma and Vegeta shall be having a reunion VERY shortly. Just please be patient and know that I'm a hopeless romantic, but also a tragedy writer... sooo it's gonna be either really sad or really happy, or bittersweet-which is my personal favorite! Luv to all, even the flamers. That is all ~JZero