Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Just my Husband, laptop, my 3 dogs and a very overactive imagination… Dragon Ball Z and any songs mentioned in this fic DO NOT belong to me. I'm just borrowing them for my own twisted amusement.

The Popstar

Chapter 3

The next morning, Bulma and Vegeta were both up early and ready to start the day. Bulma in runners and tight fitting, but comfortable yoga pants and velour hoodie and Vegeta in a black v-neck t-shirt and black fitted cargo pants that made Bulma look twice.

No matter how she tried to reason or ignore it, she could simply not get over how handsome he was. It was a good thing he wasn't a flirt or she knew she'd be in trouble. He was all business, but the way he looked and carried himself was nearly irresistible to her. For someone who was off work on an injury, he sure hadn't let that keep him from maintaining a perfect physique, from what she could tell anyway. She'd definitely have to talk him into hot tubbing with her at some point, she reasoned as she followed him off of the elevator and to Goku's car, where he was already waiting for them.

Vegeta opened the car door to let Justice in and turned to her to let her in first and she blushed, hoping he had not caught her checking him out and essentially mentally undressing him.

Though how could she not! The way she reasoned it, he was dressed professionally for duty, but did he have to look so delectable? Especially when she'd essentially just rolled out of bed to show up at this rehearsal so looked far from her best. She hadn't slept well, as usual since her abduction.

Vegeta quickly looked away from her, uncomfortably. He'd felt her heated gaze on him and was embarrassed by the confirmation that she had been obviously ogling him from behind. He wasn't sure if he should be flattered or annoyed so he ignored it.

Goku made small talk with them as he took them to a concert hall where Bulma would be performing in two weeks. The rehearsal took all day. It was long, boring and Vegeta was about ready to resign at that point.

He was tired of hearing the same songs over and over again, didn't like the way some of the other male dancers were so handsy with Bulma while in between performing. He didn't like how the choreographer spoke to her either; she looked great to him and after a few hours he truthfully wondered how she could do this for a living?

"Vegeta, this is Yamcha, my manager," she introduced them when she was finally done.

The two men shook hands. "Yamcha, this is Vegeta, my new bodyguard,"

"Right, you'd mentioned that Goku was finding you a replacement. Nice to meet you," Yamcha said.

"Likewise," Vegeta replied.

"Will you excuse us a moment?" Yamcha asked and dragged Bulma away and to the side. "What's with the dog?"

"That's Justice," Bulma said. "He's his retired military dog and is present to help with surveillance."

"Don't you think that's a bit excessive?" Yamcha asked with a raised eyebrow. "Not to mention pointless seeing as it only has 3 legs?"

"No," Bulma shrugged. "Any extra help the better. I feel safe having him in my appartment at night incase there is a break in or something. Plus he saved Vegeta's life!"

"Isn't that touching," Yamcha commented, though was not impressed. "Wait, he's living with you?"

"For now, yes," she nodded, though had paused a moment before answering, fully aware that Yamcha would not approve.

"I think that's a bit much," he said sourly. "I would have stayed if you wanted me to,"

"I know, and I did consider it, but decided against it because I thought it would be too awkward given our history," she replied, looking down. "Not to mention, you said I was making far too much out of this and that I was over reacting," she reminded him.

"I know, I was wrong to under estimate the effect something like that may have had on you, I'm sorry," he apologized. "But you'd rather have a stranger come move in with you than to ask me to stay? That hurts, B."

"Well, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you, Yamcha, but I feel a lot better having someone stay with me. He's a good friend of Goku's so not just some random guy. If Goku trusts him, I will trust him."

"It wasn't even like they took you from your home," he pointed out.

"No, but I'm still extremely shaken up by all of this and you keep brushing it off like it's not that big of a deal," she snipped at him resentfully. "I also asked you to cancel all of my commitments until further notice and you refused, so you're not exactly my favourite person right now."

"I understand, but keeping yourself busy is what you need right now," he said. "I know it probably doesn't feel that way, but trust me."

Bulma rolled her eyes. This was a big reason why they had not remained together romantically as a couple. Yamcha was sweet, but he was sometimes completely clueless or oblivious to how she felt about things, nor did he really listen to her when she spoke. His motto in life was onward and upward.

The reason why she had kept him as a manager after their split was because he was good at it. He was aggressive in promoting her and making sure she had good exposure. However, she had been working nearly nonstop for the last ten years and she was growing more and more exhausted with the hectic schedule she kept. It hadn't bothered her in her late teens and early twenties, but she was approaching thirty in a few years. Not that thirty was old, but she was beginning to notice that the gruelling schedule was beginning to really wear on her. She couldn't do it like she used to and this recent incident with being kidnapped by an over obsessed fan had given her second thought as to whether or not she even wanted to continue on at this pace or in this career at all.

Truthfully, the idea of leaving it all behind and working with her father and living a normal life was slowly becoming more and more appealing to her; not that she was ready to admit that to anyone, let alone herself just yet.

"I'll keep the commitments that are booked for the next little while, but after this show, I'm going on hiatus," she told him.

"You can't!" He objected. "You have several other major commitments, not to mention you're slated to record one more album, it's in your contact. See, this is why you need me. Without me, you'd take some long hiatus and get yourself sued for not holding up to your contractual obligations." Yamcha grinned.

"If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be over booked and over worked," she pointed out.

"Seriously?" He huffed.

"Look, I know you mean well and you're good at what you do and in this industry, non exposure for a few months could damage my career for good, but I'm tired Yamcha. I need a break. Is there any way I can even take a few months off and then record my next album?"

"I'm not sure, but if you're that insistent about it, I'll enquire about it for you,"

"Please do," was all she said as she went back to Vegeta, who had been discreetly listening to them bicker. Once again, his gut suspicions told him that Yamcha might have known something about this supposed abduction. "Alright, I am exhausted and ready to go home."

"Remember, tomorrow you're here again early in the morning and in the afternoon you have that photo shoot for Vogue. I already scheduled a housekeeper to come by and an interior designer to stage your place first thing in the morning because you wanted the shoot at your place. The day after that will be the actual interview, which will also be held at your home as per your request. See? I listen to you,"

"Ugh," she groaned. "I completely forgot about that. Did you manage get the list of questions they're asking me yet?"

"No, they haven't sent them yet. I can call and ask again." He shook his head.

"Please do; I don't want to talk about my abduction at all," she said.

"Well when I asked last for the interview questions, I did mention that you were not comfortable discussing it at this time," he told her.

"Thank you," she said. "I'll see you tomorrow."

Bulma followed Vegeta down to the car that was waiting for them. He motioned for her to stay where she was and went around the front to speak with the driver.

A moment later, he nodded at her and she climbed into the back seat.

Vegeta sat in the seat next to her and Justice crawled in between them, half laying on Vegeta's lap.

Bulma couldn't help but snicker at the dog. "Big bad, scary army dog but he sure loves to cuddle his daddy, huh," she teased.

Vegeta grunted. "He's a pain in the ass with no concept of personal space."

She shook her head at his tone. Though he sounded and looked completely put out, she noticed him stroking the dog's shoulder. "Can I pet him?"

"Sure,"

Bulma cautiously put her hand out for him to sniff and after a moment, Justice bobbed his head back, almost swatting her hand away with his muzzle. She frowned at him and did not attempt again to pet him, assuming that meant that he did not want to be touched. A moment later though, he shifted his weight and practically threw himself down into her lap and brought his head right up; it was resting on her chest, but he was looking right up at her, staring expectantly at her as though expecting something.

"Alright then," Bulma said, looking down at him, unsure how to interpret his behaviour.

"He wants you to pet him," Vegeta clarified.

"Such a strange dog," she mused as she stroked the side of his neck carefully. "He's kind of scary even when he does want affection."

"They are weird dogs," Vegeta agreed. "Should not be owned by anyone. However I will have nothing else ever again."

"Hmmm," she smiled, at Justice. "Well, hopefully one day he'll grow on me enough that I won't be scared shitless by him."

"If you are no threat, you have no reason to be afraid of him," Vegeta said.

Bulma nodded and continued to pet the dog. As she laid back in her seat, and began staring out the window, she frowned. "Where are we going?" She asked.

"Back to your home," Vegeta replied, not looking back at her, but looking out of his own window.

"Why are we going this this way?" She asked. "Driver?"

"I told him to go another route," Vegeta said.

"But this way will take us forever at this hour with traffic and such," she complained. She was tired and just wanted to get home as quickly as possible and get a good nights rest seeing as tomorrow would be just as hectic.

"Sometimes the longer, less practical route is the safer one," he snapped at her, shooting her a dirty look.

"Sorry," she rolled her eyes at him. "I'm beyond exhausted and just want to get home as soon as possible."

Vegeta was quiet for about a minute. "Seeing as there is someone out there who was making a point of following your every move, succeeded in abducting you and may be still out there planning to try again, I think it is advisable to make your daily routine as unpredictable as possible."

Bulma shrugged. He wasn't wrong, actually it was good thinking, but she was too tired to care at the moment. "It's fine,"

They were quiet the rest of the ride back to Bulma's place. They both thanked the driver and made their way inside.

Unfortunately, this time they could not bypass her mother.

"Bulma, dear!" Her mother cooed. "Who's your handsome guest?"

"Oh god," Bulma groaned under her breath. "I'm sorry in advance," she said to Vegeta discreetly, over her shoulder. "Hello, mother. This is Vegeta, he's Goku's replacement and staying with me for a little while until things blow over."

"That's right! Goku did mention he may not be coming back to work for you when he was better, the poor young man, I so liked him," Mrs. Briefs said. "No matter, anyone recommend by Goku is a friend of the Briefs. Welcome, young man! My husband and I cannot thank you enough for staying with and accompanying our daughter. That whole incident was so upsetting for all of us, Bulma especially. I know my husband and I don't understand her desire to keep doing what she does; she has a reliable, safe job waiting here for her within her father's company, but she won't hear of it. Even after what happened! The poor thing slept in her old bedroom in our home-"

"Thanks, mom," Bulma interrupted her. "But I've had a long day, I'm exhausted and have to be up early tomorrow and I'm sure Vegeta is looking forward to some down time on his own."

"Right, of course," she agreed. "Be sure to come down for dinner sometime soon, your father and I would love to get to know Vegeta and his furry companion better,"

"Will do," Bulma said quickly, heading for the elevator before her mother attempted to strike up another conversation.

"If you want a large space to play with and run your dog, no one here uses the tennis courts anymore," Mrs. Briefs added.

"Good to know," Vegeta said. "I will take that into consideration. It was nice to meet you."

"Have a good night!" Mrs. Briefs said as they entered the elevator and the doors shut.

Bulma took a deep breath and sighed heavily as they began to move up. "Sorry," she apologized.

"No need to apologize. Your mother seems nice," he said.

"Oh she is," Bulma reassured him. "She can just be a little intense is all and I'm too tired to visit right now."

"Understandable," he nodded.

"If you don't mind, maybe we can have dinner with them this weekend if I can find some down time," she suggested. "Nothing fancy or formal, just they would probably like to meet you and get to know you so they're comfortable with who is staying with me. They were really concerned when Goku quit, but were so happy when he reassured them that he found someone that he knew well to take his place."

Vegeta simply nodded. He wasn't comfortable with the whole family dinner affair, but if it made her parents feel better, he could understand that and would do it. "Sure, we can do that."

"Great," Bulma said between a yawn. "I'll let her know and I'll go through my schedule and figure out a time."

They made it up to Bulma's suite finally.

When they entered Bulma's place, Vegeta commanded Justice to stay with Bulma in the hall and raised his gun and walked in first. "Wait out here," he said to her.

"I'm sure it's fine," she whined, rolling her eyes.

"Says the woman who leaves her balcony doors wide open day and night," he retorted, siding the door in question loudly for emphasis. He walked swiftly through the main suite and then then through her living space before coming back to the door. "You can come in," he said.

Bulma and Justice walked into the suite and Vegeta locked the door.

"Su," Vegeta said to Justice, pointing to Bulma's living space and the dog took off down the hall, sniffing the corners, couches, tables, everything as Vegeta closely watched him work.

"Don't you think you're being a bit excessive?" She asked irritably. She was tired and just wanted to take a hot bath with a glass of wine and go to bed.

"No," he grunted. "I am doing my job."

"How will he know if someone was in here?" She asked. "And how will you know?"

Vegeta frowned at her. "Just let us work and you can do whatever it is you want once we've cleared the area."

Bulma sighed in frustration and leaned against the door frame of her apartment. Goku hadn't been kidding when he'd told her that Vegeta was meticulous and took his job seriously. While deep down she was impressed, she wasn't in the mood right now to have to wait to turn in.

A few minutes later, Justice came back into view. His tail wagging and he was panting happily and doing what looked to be a happy dance in front of Vegeta, who tossed a tennis ball on a string down the hall and into the main suite area, out of Bulma's living space.

"All clear," he said, walking passed her. "You may do as you wish. Leave your patio door closed."

"Fine," she sighed. "It gets so hot in here though,"

"Then invest in air conditioning," he deadpanned. "It's not like you cannot afford it."

"But I hate air conditioning," she whined. "Then it will always be too cold in here."

Vegeta sighed in annoyance and pinched the bridge of his nose in aggravation as he counted to ten. "Then I may as well go home and leave you to your own devices,"

"Well really, Vegeta," she objected. "My apartment is like hundreds of feet from the ground. Who in the right mind is going to be able to get in here?"

"Someone who is insane enough to abduct someone they are obsessed with," he said. "Do not underestimate him. You may think I am being over paranoid, but I have seen how sick people behave under desperation. There are no lengths they will not go to ensure they get what it is they are after. It would not take much effort to get a ladder or toss up a rope and climb into your balcony. Don't think it is possible? I will gladly go outside and prove you wrong."

"Okay Captain Commando! I get it! Thank you for being so diligent and taking my safety so seriously," she sighed. "Can I please turn in for the evening now that we've established my place hasn't been invaded by crazy obsessive fans?"

Vegeta glared at her a moment but decided it wasn't worth the effort arguing with her. "Good night," he said, leaving her and closing her door behind him.

He was going to work out until he passed out.

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