Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ or the characters
Hey all! Here's another chapter during this quarantine. Last chapter was pretty well received. I hope this one is too. ^^ Also, at the end of the chapter, I have a special announcement. For now, just enjoy the chapter!
Seeing Bulma again and watching her leave twice left a huge, gaping hole in Vegeta's heart. He hadn't realized how much he missed her until he saw her again. Now that he knew she was so close, it was harder to keep focus. He succeeded in his assignment the night he ran into her. His father expressed pride of how Vegeta handled himself. As Vegeta promised, he did and said nothing about Bulma showing up at that inopportune time. His father would forever remain none the wiser.
It was late on a Friday night when Vegeta left his regular day job. He was a coach at a local gym, teaching self-defense. His father thought his chosen profession pathetic, but Vegeta didn't care. It helped to pass the time, and he was paid decently for it. It was better than using the dirty money his father paid him, the legal wealth locked into a trust for whatever future child he'd have. Only Kakarot knew about that.
"Oh, Yamcha, it's beautiful!"
Vegeta froze as he heard the familiar name, and he snarled as he turned. Across the street he saw that damned jock from high school, but what startled him was the blue-haired woman with him. She was not Bulma. And Yamcha presented her with an ornate necklace that had to be expensive. The Bulma lookalike even kissed the pig, and he smiled into the kiss. Black brows furrowed in confusion. Was Vegeta actually witnessing this right now?
Immediately, Vegeta went to the only place he could think of…Capsule Corp. As expected, Bulma was just getting off work, and she jumped when he appeared before her. "Vegeta, what the hell are you doing here?" the woman hissed. She then noticed the sternness in his eyes. "What is it?"
"We need to talk, and here may not be the best place," Vegeta told her.
Bulma laughed sardonically. "You say that every time you see me now," she pointed out before she grew serious, "but Vegeta, there's nothing more that needs to be said."
"I saw Yamcha tonight," Vegeta told her. Bulma seemed surprised. Vegeta's eyes hardened. "He was with another woman, one who looked a lot like you."
A sigh escaped Bulma, and she shook her head. "I know," she admitted. Vegeta looked at her with disbelief. "I'm already aware that Yamcha is cheating on me."
Furious, Vegeta snapped at her, "Then what the fuck are you still doing with him? How can you let someone degrade you like that?"
"Vegeta, you don't know anything about him or me," Bulma countered. "Honestly, I just don't care."
"What?" Vegeta asked, shocked. His gaze softened just for a moment when he saw how broken Bulma looked. "Why?"
"I don't owe you an explanation," Bulma scoffed as she flipped her hair behind her. Another breath heaved itself from her chest. "But…it's really not a big deal. The only reason I'm with him is because he was there for me after…"
"After your mother?" Vegeta questioned gently. Tears formed in Bulma's eyes, and he felt like a complete asshole for bringing it up. "Bulma…I'm sorry."
"No, it's not that," the woman remarked. She wiped the tears from her eyes. "I…I was in an abusive relationship," Bulma disclosed. "It was after you stopped contacting me. This guy asked me out, and he seemed to really like me. I didn't really know him, and eventually, he got me back to his house. It was terrifying. I had no one to turn to. Then, Yamcha found me one day, crying in the park. He recognized me from high school, and he asked me what was wrong. I told him everything, and so he offered to protect me. He was the one who got me away. I'm honestly with him out of loyalty. He and I…we were never in love."
"Bulma," Vegeta breathed out, completely at a loss for words. He swallowed down his anxiety. Just hearing the overview of what happened left Vegeta to feel helpless. "I demand to know what was done to you and who did it."
Bulma let out a noise that indicated her irritation. "Why would I do that? Just so you can kill him?"
"Bulma," Vegeta said in warning.
"It doesn't matter," she stated. "It was a while ago. Anyway, I stayed with Yamcha because he was there for me during that time, while I grieved, and while I…mended a broken heart." She avoided Vegeta's gaze, but his eyes never left her. His heart felt like it stabbed with a thousand knives from learning what his love suffered. "I struggled with the fact that my family wasn't the same anymore, and I had been so mentally wounded by my abuser. I felt like I deserved it all. Everyone I knew and loved left me. Clearly, I was the one who messed up, right?"
"I was trying to protect you," Vegeta reiterated. "Bulma, I didn't want to lose you. I didn't care what crap I had to go through just as long as you were safe. Would you have rather me let him kill you?"
Her answer sent chills through him. She answered firmly and distinctively, "Yes."
Vegeta remained paralyzed to his spot; his heart took the final strike as Bulma walked away from him and down the street. He couldn't believe any of it, especially her answer. Her life had really gone downhill, but Vegeta never expected Bulma to talk like she loathed living. She was always the spark, the lively one of the group, the one who got him to come out of his shell around those he cared about. This version of her was not the real Bulma, and there was only one person Vegeta could blame.
His next stop was his father's mansion. Once Vegeta made it to the house, he banged on the door. Vegeta Sr. answered, his expression conveyed his displeasure at the late-night visit. "What do you want, boy?"
"I need a word," Vegeta remarked. He walked into the building like he owned the place.
The father snorted. He closed the door and locked it. "About what? I don't have any remarks about your latest job other than you did well. Aren't you usually the one who has nothing to say to me?"
"We need to talk about Bulma."
Surprise flickered in his father's eyes, but then he seemed to have an understanding. "Ah, you found out she's back in the city."
Vegeta's head whipped around. He fired an accusatory glare at his father. "You knew?"
"Of course I knew," Vegeta Sr. remarked. "I've been keeping tabs on her since you left her. I needed to make sure you kept to your word."
"Then you know everything she's suffered," Vegeta alleged.
The man met his son's gaze. "You already know the answer to that."
"You knew of the abuse?"
"Ha," his father laughed. "That idiot. He wasn't supposed to touch her, but that's water under the bridge, now. He's already six feet under."
"You son of a bitch," Vegeta hissed. If what his father implied was true, Bulma's abuser was a member of his gang. Vegeta was beyond angry by this point. "Why?"
"Bulma made you complacent," his father said. He went to his bar to pour himself a drink. "I wanted you in the business."
"Well, you got your wish then," Vegeta darkly replied, "but I'll be happy to leave now."
His father glared at him. "Once you're in, you can never get out," he reminded him.
"Fine," Vegeta chuckled. "Then kill me right here and now. You threatened Bulma's life, and I swear if any harm ever comes to her again because of you, then I will do nothing. No more jobs, no more planning to take over for your sorry ass. I won't even help if any rival gang comes after you. I will be done." He could tell his father wasn't happy. The man's rage was ever increasing. "And I swear, Father, that if Bulma ends up dead, then I'd rather die, too. The only way to keep my cooperation is to allow her to live and protect her, or I am gone."
Vegeta wasn't one for ultimatums, but this one worked in his favor. As worked up as his father was, he could already see the gears turn in the bastard's mind and the reluctant acceptance. "Fine. She's under our protection. Happy?"
"Ecstatic," Vegeta responded before he moved to take his leave. He didn't even say 'goodbye' to his father. He didn't care if that irritated him or not.
Bulma couldn't take it anymore. Seeing Vegeta the first time after so long was bad enough for her, not even just because she witnessed a crime. Her heart tried to pull her towards him at their every encounter afterwards, and it was not something she could allow. She had responsibilities now, and his mafia lifestyle could not trickle in. It didn't stop him from continuing to show up, despite the promises they made years earlier. As much as he hated agreeing to respect her wishes when she first told him she'd leave if he ever got involved with the damnable gang, he had indicated that he would go along with her desires. Now, he didn't seem to care what those desires were no matter how clear she made it.
Finally, Vegeta came into her office again, during work hours. Her employees started to talk. Some knew who he was, and others didn't. Bulma didn't know what the office mutterings were, but she was already tired of it. Eventually, she gave in, went with him to his apartment so that she could make damn sure he knew where she stood.
Vegeta was glad Bulma came with him. He knew she was pissed, but there was a fire in her eyes that he missed. Since he had seen her again, that fire had been dimmed. No, he preferred her like this, and he'd continue to nurture that fiery spirit. "I know why you're here," he said.
"Good," Bulma huffed. She crossed her arms and stood her ground against him. "Then you can tell me what the hell you think 'stay away from me' means. I already told you that I'm not okay with any of this."
Vegeta's eyes met her, and they were filled with immense anger. Bulma nearly staggered back, afraid it was anger towards her, but when he spoke she knew it was the furthest from the truth. "I spoke with my father," he told her. "He's been having you watched and knew everything you were going through, including the abuse. Bulma, I am so sorry. The person who came after you, he was someone who worked for my father." The woman looked completely shocked. "He was dealt with. Apparently, my father ordered that no one approach you, and my father took care of him. I know that isn't much consolation, but I just wanted you to know that he can't hurt you anymore."
Bulma's hands gripped her arms, tightened her arms together. It horrified her that one of Vegeta Sr.'s men was the one to hurt her. It was worse to hear the man was dead. "I didn't think your father cared," she joked weakly.
"He didn't," Vegeta remarked bitterly. "He only did something about it because the man didn't follow orders. In any case, I had words with him, and you are now under our protection in exchange for my cooperation."
Fury hit Bulma as she, again, reminded him, "I want nothing to do with the mob. How many times do I have to tell you that? Vegeta, this just can't happen anymore. You…being here, it hurts me so damn much and keeps messing with my head and heart. We just can't be."
Vegeta approached her and took her in his arms. "I know," he whispered hopelessly. "I'm sorry. Bulma, please forgive me. I should have been there for you. I shouldn't have given in. I know that no matter what I say or do, I can't take all that pain away from you, and I can't stand it. I've always loved you, woman. I'm just so sorry."
Bulma was about to respond, but Vegeta cut her off as he pressed his lips to hers in a heated kiss. He continued to caress her lips with his until she gave in and returned his gesture. A breath-like moan left him as relief flooded his heart. They pulled away for a moment, both with desire-filled eyes. Vegeta kissed her again, gentler this time, and the two stumbled onto his bed. It was the night they reunited and slept together, but Vegeta knew it would be the last time he'd ever be with or see his woman. He promised to make it count. At least this way, they could say goodbye the proper way.
A month passed since Bulma last saw Vegeta, and her heart felt heavy. She gave herself to him, and it felt just like old times. The woman felt safe in his arms as he loved her and showered her with affection and gentle touches. It was a memory she'd treasure forever.
Unfortunately, it wasn't old times, and there was so much that couldn't be. In the end, part of her regretted surrendering to him so easily. Now, it would be harder to give him up.
Bulma barely got her workday started when she felt a wave of sickness wash over her. She just started a meeting but had to run out and race to the toilet. Some of her workers followed her and helped her get back up. They all told her to go home and get some rest. Bulma agreed, but only because she didn't want to blow chunks during her presentation.
As strange as it was, once Bulma got home, she felt immensely better and was frustrated that she left work without getting everything done. Instantly, her mind jumped to the possibility that she could be pregnant. It hadn't been too long since she was intimate with her old lover. If she were pregnant, then the child would definitely be Vegeta's. She never slept with Yamcha before at all, triggered each time the man tried to be intimate with her. Now that the idea was in her mind, Bulma needed to get a test as soon as possible. She needed to challenge her fear and hope that it was just a bug. It's not that she wouldn't love to have a child, especially a child with a man she loved. There was just one problem. It was the reason she walked away and the reason Vegeta let her.
Lo and behold, Bulma's fear was confirmed. The worst possible scenario occurred. She was carrying Vegeta's 'heir'. Bulma shook with the stick in her hand, shocked despite her earlier suspicion. Tears escaped her. She didn't want her child to be born to a criminal kingpin.
Yamcha decided to visit Bulma later that day. when he visited Capsule Corp., he heard from Bulma's employees that she was sick that morning and went home. Concern flooded him. Despite their rocky relationship, he did care about her. He wanted to make sure she was okay. So, he decided to let himself into her apartment to bring her some soup for her sour stomach.
He searched around the apartment but didn't find the woman. The light was on in the bathroom, so he went there. Inside, he was met with an unusual sight. In the trash was a pregnancy test. His brow furrowed at the implication. He heard the padding of feet behind him and turned to face Bulma. She didn't look upset that he was there, her eyes filled with acceptance. "You cheated on me," he accused, his voice angry. "Was I not good enough? What made this guy so special?"
"Don't be mad at me," Bulma clipped, though she was much less angry. "You've been with plenty of other women."
Bulma's calmness and logic seemed to bring Yamcha back to the reality of their situation. He cooled down and let out a heavy sigh. "Yeah, you have a point. What does this mean?"
"Yamcha, I care about you," Bulma admitted, "but you and I know we were never really a good fit. I'm sorry."
"Me too," Yamcha replied with a nod. "And I get it. Just, Bulma, who's the father?"
"Does it matter?" Bulma returned.
Yamcha shook his head. "No, I guess it doesn't." He could hardly meet Bulma's eyes; both kept their gaze on the floor. "I guess this is it."
"I guess it is," Bulma whispered. "Goodbye, Yamcha."
The man took his leave, but Bulma honestly wasn't too torn up about his departure. This had been a long time coming, a truth about her life that only struck her hard when Vegeta found her. No, what pained her was something else entirely, and she needed her best friend. She took out her cell phone and dialed a number. "Hi, Chi-Chi?" she spoke into the receiver. "Can you come over? I could really use a friend right now."
When Chi-Chi arrived, Bulma told the woman everything, minus the part of where she ran into Vegeta. Chi-Chi was shocked to hear what Vegeta told Bulma about his father's threats to her, but fury soon took root in her heart when she heard that, despite knowing Bulma's position, the man actually slept with her. The raven-haired woman ranted about it to Kakarot when she returned home, and her husband was completed baffled. He never expected any of this to happen, especially not the idea that Bulma and Vegeta would have a kid together. Panic flooded him. What would Vegeta's father say?
Kakarot immediately went to warn his friend, and Vegeta quickly stormed off when he found out. He headed to Bulma's apartment—the address was given to him by Kakarot. He was nearly there when he heard crying near the entrance of the park. It sounded familiar, so Vegeta skulled around and found Bulma sitting on a bench a little ways away. Choosing to watch her from afar, Vegeta was given insight to the woman she never let him see, how vulnerable she was, as she spoke to the child they were to have.
"I don't know how we're going to do this," she said to the baby as she cradled her stomach. "This is just too much. I never wanted this." Vegeta glowered at her, almost offended, until she said, "I never wanted a life for you where you'd be forced into that horrid business like your father. He never wanted that for you either. We used to talk about it all the time.
"We were going to run away from here, start a life just the two of us," Bulma spoke of conversations she and Vegeta had long ago. "He was always against his father's business. We wanted you to be free. That's why…that's why I tried to send him away. It would kill both of us if his father got his hands on you. I just don't know what to do to keep you safe."
Vegeta felt himself deflate because he knew how much Bulma was suffering. This was his fault for not keeping his promise. They wouldn't be in this mess if he had just stayed out of the mob. She wouldn't be harboring this anxiety if he had let her walk away.
Bulma's words cut into Vegeta's disparaging thoughts. "I'm sorry that I can't give him the life we wanted for you. Honestly, I know that unless I leave the city and get you far away from here, you'll be forced into that line of work, like Vegeta was. I just don't know what to do. I can't even go to your father. I love him, and I never stopped, but I can't…I can't keep doing this to us. I feel so alone." A sob escaped her as she buried her head in her hands. "I'm always alone."
It was all too much to take. Vegeta wanted to reach out to her, take her in his arms and hold her, assure her everything would be okay. He was frozen. Truth be told, Vegeta knew he didn't deserve the woman or this child. He could barely keep the woman safe. There was no way he could protect the both of them from his father. The only way would be to stay away from her forever. His father would never know that he sired a child. The child, boy or girl, would be safe from the bastard.
A/N: Another intense chapter for you all. I hope you enjoyed it! And now, I have an announcement!
So I've decided to do review response in fanfiction chapters again starting with each new chapter (all past chapters from this were answered in PM except for those from guests).
The reason I had stopped in the first place was during the time I had lost my father. Back then, I just didn't know what to say or how to interact, and as I wrote responses in the chapters, I could only think about that, and I didn't want to bring everyone down publically during that time either (also why I took the hiatus back then).
So, for the first time since 2014, I'll be doing review responses in the chapter, but a little differently. I'll be doing them here, at the end of the story, instead of the beginning. It will also give me the ability to interact with the guest reviewers again, too!
NikkiS71: I'm glad I decided to post it too, if only to give some extra content during this uncertain time. I'm trying to get back to work on other stories, but I've been so bogged down with work, I'm trying to get my brain to work for me again XD I can't tell you much about the story just yet, but as you saw, things aren't completely finished yet ;)
wistfulmuse: Hello there, again ^^ I'm glad you enjoyed it! Hope you enjoyed this chapter as well :D
Guest: Possibly many double lives ^^' Hopefully I can keep it all straight ;) Thanks for the review!
daughterofrisingson: I forget what brought on the idea since it's been so long since I started working on it. Anyway, glad you enjoyed the first chapter. Hope you enjoyed this one too! Looking forward to working on this one!
Guest: Ironically, I have been re-reading some of my older, completed stories too, and cringing over how much passive voice I used XD I'm getting better. The curse of being both a scientist and a writer! Thank you so much for reading all of those stories and for your excitement with this one. I'm hoping I can pull myself out of whatever is preventing me from writing more than a paragraph at a time (job brain ^^'). Hope you enjoyed the chapter!