~*Desperate for changing*~
Bulma woke with that refreshed feeling that one gets only
after a perfect night of sleep. She couldn't understand it, she hadn't slept
that well since, well, since ever. She was so warm and safe…a feeling not common
when one has been abducted by aliens and forced to travel from space port to
space port.
Yes, something about the feeling she had now was comforting, almost familiar.
That is when she noticed a large, masculine arm draped over her waist. Trailing her eyes over the arm she made her way to a broad chest, perfectly toned with not an ounce of fat. Then her blue eyes went higher and fell upon the chiseled face of Son Goku. The blue haired beauty drew in a sharp breath and blushed furiously. She had completely forgotten that she had invited him into her bed last night.
~*Starving for truth*~
"I could have sworn we were on different sides of the bed when we went to sleep, he must have gotten cold. Not that I am complaining…it was the best night of sleep I have had in ages." Bulma looked over at the sleeping Saiyan and smiled softly, "You make a pretty good teddy bear you know that?" Then she sighed and closed her eyes once more.
Bulma scooted unconsciously closer to Goku then, much to the Saiyan's delight. He pulled her small body closer to his. He'd originally made a comment that he'd rather burn in hell than work with the Saiyans. But, if THIS was hell, there was no way he was ever going back.
~*I'm closer to where I started *~
Goku reached his hand up to stroke her hair gently, but never made it completely to her head. A loud bang from the front of their quarters caught his attention, followed by the sound of footsteps in the hall. He bolted upright in bed, followed closely by Bulma, who, out of either fright or something else, clung tightly to Son Goku's chest. He hardly noticed, however, his mind having gone into fight mode the second the noise had occurred. Only one logical thought remained in his head at the moment.
Protect Bulma.
~*I'm chasing after you *~
Bulma clung even more tightly to his chest as the footsteps sounded directly outside of the bedroom door, and then dug her nails deep into his skin when the door was flung open, and a dark figure stepped inside. When she noticed it was Vegeta, however, her eyes visibly softened and she let her hands fall from his chest.
This action caught Goku by surprise, but for the moment he pushed it from his mind.
"Prince Vegeta," Bulma spoke, her eyes brightening just a bit when she saw the compact Saiyan, "To what do we owe this honor?"
~*I'm falling even more in love with you *~
Goku merely stared at her as though she'd lost her mind. She'd NEVER seen her be nice to a Saiyan, with the exception of him, of course.. Much less Vegeta. He shrugged it off as nothing, however, and went back to focus his attention on what he'd recently come to find was his Prince.
The prince of all Saiyans felt his eyes narrow at the site before him before he even really registered it. There was Bulma, the closest thing to Saiyan perfection the Earth had ever produced, lying beside that third class excuse for a warrior. And for some reason, that bothered the stoic Prince far more than he cared to admit, even to himself..
~*Letting go of all I've held onto *~
After he was composed yet again, he began to speak, much to Bulma's relief. To put it mildly, she'd felt a bit odd when she'd looked at the Saiyan Prince, only to find him shooting daggers at her with his eyes.
"First off, I think I need to remind you that I'm the Prince of this planet, and mockery will get you nowhere." He spat, attempting as be he could to use his authoritative voice.
Bulma looked shocked at the words and began to mumble that she hadn't meant any disrespect, but Vegeta cut her off.
~*I'm standing here until you make me move*~
"Save your breath, we have a busy day ahead of us, so I suggest you get dressed."
"A busy day of what?" Goku asked, for the moment having completely forgotten the company he was in.
"Not that it's any of your concern, Kakarot, but I'm showing this little scientist of yours around the lab today. If she's half as good as you say she is, then perhaps she can be a bit of use in upcoming battles."
"Well then, we'll get dressed." Goku answered, in what was his best attempt to convey the message that Bulma wasn't going anywhere without him.
~*I'm hanging by a moment here with you *~
Vegeta either didn't get the point, or ignored it completely.
Goku had a feeling it was more of the latter.
"You'll be shown around the training grounds today, Kakarot... There are several tests that need to be run, and since we'll be preoccupied all day, I can't think of any better time to begin." Vegeta answered, what sounded like a laugh evident in his voice.
~*Forgetting all I'm lacking*~
Bulma didn't think she liked the sound of that, she knew how Goku felt about needles "What kind of tests?" She asked, for the first time since Vegeta'd entered, showing her concern for Goku.
Vegeta merely shrugged and said, "Just to see if he is even worthy of third class ranking. He has had little or no proper training in Saiyan battle tactics."
"Well, I wouldn't worry too much about Goku.. He's got a strange way of.. Oh, how can I put this.. Kicking ass." Bulma replied before reaching her hand back up and resting it on Goku's chest.
~*Completely incomplete*~
"Well obviously if he needs a slip of a woman to fight his battle," Vegeta said in a dark sarcastic tone.
"I'll pretend you never said that." Bulma quipped as she stood from the bed, obviously having forgotten her skimpy night clothes.
Both men fought to keep their faces smooth and expressionless :
But failed.
~*I'll take your invitation*~
Miserably
If Bulma noticed it though she never showed any outward
sign, she simply made her way to the bathroom and shut the door.
A few seconds later she poked her head out, a sheepish grin
on her face, "Um Prince Vegeta, I am going to take a quick shower, then we can
go."
Vegeta scowled and muttered, "If I cared woman you would have known."
~*You take all of me*~
Bulma merely rolled her eyes before closing the bathroom door yet again, leaving the two Saiyan men to their own devices.
Neither of them spoke for a moment, before Goku finally broke the silence. "You'll watch her, right?"
Vegeta glanced over the man quickly, as if sizing him up, before going back to staring blankly at the wall.
"Vegeta.. I'm being completely honest here... You told me once that if I wanted her to live, that I should watch her. Now you're telling me that I have to let her out of my sight?"
~*Now I'm falling even more in love with you *~
Vegeta glanced at the other warrior for a moment, but made no move to answer.
"What I'm asking," Goku continued, "Is can I trust you to take care of her?"
When Vegeta didn't answer, Goku took this to mean that there was something he wasn't being told, so he jumped up from his place at the bed, and decided to press the matter yet again.
~*Letting go of all I've held onto*~
"Damn it Vegeta! Would you answer me? I care more for her life than I care for mine!" Goku roared, his face holding none of the innocence it was famous for.
When Vegeta simply turned cold eyes on Goku, the younger Saiyan felt himself snap. "Well there is my answer. You obviously care less if she lives or dies, so much for that famous Saiyan honor you preach so loudly."
A growl rose low in the back of Vegeta's throat. "How dare you! You insolent know-nothing, you have no idea what you are talking about! That's very dangerous ground you are treading on, mocking a Saiyan, the prince of them all no less, about his honor."
~*I'm standing here until you make me move *~
"Until you prove me wrong, your highness, I'll remained convinced that you're nothing more than a lying coward!" Goku exclaimed, and with a stiff, mock bow, turned his back, seemingly unafraid of the Saiyan Prince.
"I'd give my life before hers was taken." Vegeta snapped in return, before realizing what he'd said, and blushing furiously.
Goku turned back, stunned silence written all over his face, but before he could get another word in the bathroom door opened, and an oblivious Bulma stepped out.
~*I'm hanging by a moment here with you*~
While Bulma loved the way the two handsome men in the room were eyeing her, she admitted to herself that she didn't see what they were so excited about. Looking down at what she thought to be a rather bland outfit she shook her head. "men."
Goku took a deep gulp, "Damn..."
Bulma had emerged from the bathroom looking like something off of the former planet Earth's more famous runways.
~*I'm living for the only thing I know*~
Her outfit was simple, yet cut and cropped enough to make
any man look twice. The tight, knit black tank top scooped just low enough to
show the top of two milky breasts. The tiny pink heart logo in the corner helped
draw the eye to her ample mounds. A small slit of ivory skin peeked out
between her shirt and skirt. And what a skirt it was. Barely long enough to be
decent, the khaki colored skirt was made of a material similar to Earth's
corduroy, but much softer. Miles of legs were capped off with knee-high black
boots completed the look.
It was simple sex at every level, and both Saiyan men were drinking it up.
~*I'm running and I'm not quite sure where to go *~
Prince Vegeta, normally the most calm and composed Saiyan of them all, found himself actually seeing Radditz' reasoning behind taking the little human female. The thought was only a fleeting one, however, as he quickly remembered he'd sworn his life to protect her less than a moment ago.
Goku, on the other hand, having never been anywhere near as composed as Vegeta, let his emotions play clearly across his face, pleasing the Blue eyed female greatly.
~*And I don't know what I'm diving into*~
Vegeta also noticed the other man's obvious attraction, and with an, albeit silent, growl, grabbed the woman roughly by the arm and pulled her closer to him. Goku's eyes darkened a bit, jealousy a new taste in his mouth. A vicious battle of the eyes was being waged in that room, but was drawn to a close by the woman who fueled it.
Bulma turned in Vegeta's grasp and waved a small hand in front of his face, bringing his focus back to her. "Well, lets go. I think you said I had to prove myself worthy or something like that."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
~*Just hanging by a moment here with you*~
Bulma looked around at the drab halls in boredom, it felt as though they had been walking forever. Finally Vegeta came to stop in front of stainless steel doors. A soft computerized voice came out and said, "Pupil recognition and voice identification in process." This immediately peaked the brainy scientist's attention, anything being kept under lock and key this tight had to be good.
"Ah, so I see I have your attention now, eh little one?" Vegeta asked upon noticing Bulma's obviously peaked excitement.
"Voice authorization complete," The voice spoke, "Welcome, Prince Vegeta."
~*There's nothing else to lose*~
Bulma's eyes grew wide, not unlike those of a kid in a candy store, as she bore witness the great technology before her.
Upon noticing the childlike gleam in Bulma's eyes, Vegeta actually found a slight smile creeping up onto his face.
Well, at least until he visibly smacked it away.
~*There's nothing else to find*~
Bulma looked at the man as if he'd grown two heads when he, from out of nowhere, lifted a hand and smacked himself. The reasoning he gave for this only served to confuse Bulma more, however, and in turn she found herself again questioning his sanity.
"Damn mosquitoes..." He murmured, what appeared to be a slight blush staining his tan cheeks. Before he had another chance to make a fool of himself, however, Vegeta grabbed a random item off a nearby counter.
~*There's nothing in the world*~
He looked up and saw Bulma staring at him in anticipation, "Do you know what that is?" she asked.
Vegeta responded with an overly assured, "Of course, woman, even a simpleton knows what this is. It's a...um...Well, it's obviously a...Well...it ah appears to be some sort of rectal thermometer."
Bulma fell to the floor then, laughter causing small spasms in her body. "If that is what you Saiyans use for thermometers, I understand why Goku hates doctors! This, my dear Prince, is what we earthlings like to call a 'stun gun'. It inflicts damage on a person by causing an electric shock to course through their bodies... Not really something I'd wanna stick.. Well, where you stick a rectal thermometer."
~*That could change my mind*~
The prince turned to her just in time to see a hand clamp over her lips and a pink blush rise to her cheeks. Biting back a sharp comment, he grabbed a nearby scientist, and the tour resumed.
Vegeta was mentally berating himself for behaving so foolishly in front of Bulma. He should have known better than to try and impress her. Especially with science, something he knew little and cared even less about. But she had taken to the lab like a duck to water, or for that matter a Saiyan to fighting...perhaps she would be useful after all..
~*There is nothing else*~
The random scientist he had nabbed earlier was droning on and on about some sort of ki enhancing training programs for elite solders. Bulma found that concept fascinating and knew that both Goku and Vegeta would love an arena type area that improved their fighting abilities. Her brain having flown into scientist mode, she announced that she had found a flaw in their blueprints and when she had more time, would be sure to show them their mistake.
The scientists all looked to Prince Vegeta, as if to ask 'Is she for real?' The Prince merely smirked and nodded, for once happy to have the advantage over the brain happy Saiyans. Bulma remained unknowing, however, the only thing drawing her attention being the slight rumbling in her stomach.
"Prince Vegeta? Food?" She asked, much to the shock of her fellow scientists. Who in Kami's name did this girl think she was? There was NO way that Vegeta, who was widely known to rank a negative 34 on the personality scale, would let that slide. She'd practically demanded that she'd be allowed food... That was something they were sure Vegeta would find unforgivable. Much to their shock, however, the Prince merely chuckled, before turning and exiting the room, the blue haired scientist hot on his heels.
~*There is nothing else*~
The scientist Vegeta had grabbed earlier spoke out after the pair had exited the room. "Oh Kami.. He's got it bad..." He said with a sigh, before merely shaking his head, and walking away.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The sun was already beginning to set and still she hadn't returned to the safety of their room. Goku chided himself as he paced from corner to corner, wearing a small trail in the carpet, "When exactly did it become our room anyway. I mean sure we share the room, but i don't guess its really OUR room..." He opened the door and peered anxiously down the hall...still nothing.
~*There is nothing else*~
A discouraged sigh escaped his lips and was instantly replaced with fear tinged with anger. Fear for Bulma, and anger both with himself and Vegeta. "I never should have let him take her...Those tests, it was like some kind of joke. I mean asking me to fight is hardly a test, more like a game."
"It was probably some trick to get her away from me." Goku continued to convince himself that the Saiyan prince was plotting to lure Bulma away and kill, maim, or worse when the door creaked open. Goku looked up expectantly and was sorely disappointed to see an older woman carrying a tray of food.
"Your lady friend, and Prince Vegeta asked me to bring this to you." She spoke with a smile.
"You've talked to Bulma?!" He exclaimed, his excitement completely unchecked.
~*Desperate for changing*~
"Yes sir, just a few moments ago... She and Prince Vegeta were in the dining hall. That's where I spoke to them at.. Is something wrong?" She asked upon noticing the fact that Goku had paled visibly.
"Did she look concerned or anything?" He asked, for some reason actually hopeful that she didn't want to be there.
"Not at all.. She actually seemed to be rather enjoying herself. You'd better watch it, or you might just lose her to the Prince." She replied, jokingly, but the joke was far too close to a possibility for Goku.
Goku stammered a quiet thank you to the woman and leaned back against the now shut door. A pain seered through his chest, an unknown feeling causing him to sit and his head to fall to his knees.
~*Starving for truth*~
"She's enjoying herself?"
The words came out in a half whisper. He then laid flat on the floor, contemplating the cruel hand fate had dealt him.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Bulma found him, several hours later in that same position.
"Goku?" She asked timidly, having learned years ago what the repercussions for alarming a Saiyan, no matter how gentle he was.
~*I'm closer to where I started*~
He was alarmed anyway.
Goku went from a dead sleep, to awake and alert in less than two seconds. "Bulma?!" He asked excitedly, obviously thrilled to see the blue haired female. "Are you ok?" He asked, having suddenly remembered whose company it was that she'd been keeping.
"Huh? Of course I'm ok, you big lug! Vegeta was just showing me around the lab, that's all.."
"Oh, so now you're on a first name basis with him?" Goku asked bitterly. He immediately regretted it upon seeing the pained look that crossed her face. "I'm sorry, Bulma.. It's just that I've been worried about you, that's all."
~*I'm chasing after you*~
"I'm sorry to make you worry.. But really, I'm fine. See?" She asked as she flicked on the lamp on the table beside where Goku was seated on the floor.
Goku squinted his eyes a bit in the harsh light, but they quickly adjusted, and he did just that.
She was just fine...it sort of disappointed him. He had himself all riled up for a fight or to get all over protective, but she was fine.
She had returned from a day in the lion's den unscathed.
~*I'm falling even more in love with you*~
Goku sighed quietly in defeat and lay back on the floor. Bulma took notice of the sigh though and joined him on the floor, resting her head on his shoulder. "So," she asked as she played with the hem of his shirt, "How did your tests go?"
"Well they weren't really what I would call tests.. Lets just talk about your day instead."
~*Letting go of all I've held on to*~
"Well, Vegeta showed me around the lab, and i must admit they have very impressive stuff in there. Some of it was beyond even my expertise." She paused for a moment when she felt a hand run through her hair. But then continued on, "I really had a nice time. It surprised me really, how polite Veg...uh Prince Vegeta can be."
Goku frowned, "Bulma, call him Vegeta, I really am sorry I snapped earlier, I was just worried."
Bulma turned her face towards his, that dazzling smile lighting her face, "You really were worried, weren't you."
~*I'm standing here until you make me move*~
He nodded and pulled her a little closer, "Its you and me kid." he said, some bad imitation of a once famous actor making her smile even more.
"Goku?" Bulma asked, a devilish smile spreading across her face.
"Hmm?" He replied, having nearly succumb once again to sleep.
~*I'm hanging by a moment here with you*~
"Tell me, why were you so worried?" It was all she could do to keep from laughing at the way he choked on his reply.
"Wh-what? Whaddya mean? I.. um.." he stuttered, only succeeding in fueling Bulma's desire to watch him squirm.
"Come on, Goku.. If you want me to believe you were worried about me, the least you can do is tell my WHY!" She exclaimed, before turning her head away so that he couldn't see her smile.
~*I'm living for the only thing I know*~
Goku reached up with his other hand and scratched his head, "Well, I mean we are all we have left of the earth. And we have known each other for a long time...I guess I just was." he smiled a little, and turned so that he was spooning behind her. He buried his face in her hair before she had a chance to reply.
"Goodnight Bulma."
~*I'm running and I'm not quite sure where to go*~
After a few minutes of quite Bulma timidly said Goku's name. After getting no response she began talking, "You know Goku I should consider myself a lucky girl. Here I am, laying on the floor with you wrapped around me. You are great Goku and I don't think I would have made it without you..." she paused for a moment when he stirred, but when the silence remained she continued.
"Vegeta and I had a great time today, I know I already said that, but I'm going to tell you agian and there's nothing you can do about it. He made a complete fool of himself in the lab, I think you would have enjoyed that. I think he was trying to impress me, and I'm not going to lie to you...I thought it was sweet. And then when we were at dinner, he acted so polite and well, human I guess. I found myself laughing and talking and really enjoying his company."
~*And I don't know what I'm diving into*~
"Sounds crazy doesn't it? The same guy that could crush me with one finger making me laugh," she paused again "But I suppose you could do that too. Funny how I never even thought about it."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Goku heard her speak but for some unknown reason remained still and silent. He wanted to, Kami forbid, hear what she really felt for the angry prince and perhaps how she felt about him as well. He layed completely still until she started talking about how great he was, Goku just couldn't resist the urge to move a little closer.
~*I'm hanging by a moment here with you*~
A flush of anger came over him when she admitted to having a good time with Vegeta, and jealousy overshadowed that when she mentioned the lab. "So you two are sharing jokes now?"
A few minutes later, he propped himself up on his elbow and stared intently at the sleeping beauty next to him.
"Do you wanna know why I was so worried, Bulma? Do you wanna know why I sat here and tore myself apart all day?" Goku asked her, his callous hand tracing lightly over her cheek.
~*hanging by a moment*~
Bulma's heart leapt into her throat.
She silently thanked Kami she'd had experience in faking sleep.
"I love you, Bulma... pure and simple. I've known it forever, and I couldn't say it.. Well, now I am."
~*hanging by a moment*~
Bulma turned her head sharply around to look at him, her bright blue eyes shining up at him through the darkness. "What?" She asked softly, half afraid her mind had been playing tricks on her.
Goku groaned and attempted to scoot away, but Bulma held fast to his arm, and pulled him back toward her. "Damn it Goku! Tell me!" She exclaimed, silently praying to Kami what she'd heard had been right.
~*Just hanging by a moment*~
Goku took a deep breath, and locked his eyes with hers before uttering the words that he knew would change his life forever.
"I love you, Bulma."
It was then that he got the reply he'd never expected. "I love you too, Goku..."
And with that, she leaned in and captured his lips with her own, in what they would later describe as the most incredible kiss of their lives.
~*Hanging by a moment here with you*~
