Author's Note:

I am so excited to finally be posting this chapter! I've been waiting in quiet anticipation for weeks.

I am super proud of this one and I really really hope you all enjoy!

no smutty goodness, sowwy*


Chapter 21: Conversations

It was Sunday morning and Bulma was helping her mother peel potatoes at the dining table. She liked the quiet, menial task. She didn't have to worry. She didn't have to think. She didn't have to instruct anybody or anything. All she had to do was not chop her finger off and she was golden.

"Thanks, dear," Panchy said as Bulma handed her the peeled potatoes so she could chop them. She observed her daughter. She could sense something was bothering her. First of all, Bulma never volunteered to help in the kitchen. And there was just a look in her eyes... Call it mother's intuition, but Panchy knew something was eating at her. "Are you okay, honey?"

"Yeah, mom. 'M fine."

"You never ask me if I need help with cooking. Not after the last time..." Panchy and Bulma both shuddered.

"I don't know," Bulma shrugged. "I just needed something quiet to do with my hands that didn't involve machinery."

Panchy furrowed her brows. Bulma not wanting to work in the lab? Something is definitely wrong. "You know you can tell me anything, Bulma. I won't judge." She caught the quick glance Bulma sent her way.

"I know," Bulma said, her voice cracking.

"Oh Bulma." Panchy moved to her daughter's side, pulling her into a hug. "Is this about Vegeta?" The tears finally escaped from Bulma's eyes and Panchy rubbed her back soothingly. "You can tell me," she said with a smile. "I may be able to help."

Bulma didn't know what to say. She didn't know how much she could say. She didn't want to put her burdens on her parents. But she didn't think she could hold it all in much longer. "Vegeta..." she trailed off. "Vegeta's upbringing wasn't the best. He has some deep-seated issues. And some problems from his past seem to be catching up with him. And I don't know what to do," Bulma's voiced cracked again.

"Oh, honey." Panchy's heart squeezed at her daughter's distress. "What's Vegeta been saying about it?"

"He keeps telling me not to worry. But I can't help it. And he doesn't seemed worried at all and I feel like that's just stupid. Like, how could he not be freaking out?"

"Men are a different species, sweetie. They don't always think about consequences or outcomes. And a guy like Vegeta, probably isn't very in touch with his emotions. Sometimes we woman have to hold that burden for our men."

"I feel like I'm hurting him. He knows how worried I am. I feel like at any moment I'm just going to burst into tears because I'm so bottled up."

"Hey," Panchy soothed. "Come now. You always have me. I'll always be a shoulder for you to cry on, Bulma. No matter what."

Bulma looked up at her mother's reassuring face and couldn't help but smile. "Thanks mom." She sat up. She felt a little better getting some things off her chest. But she wanted to really talk to someone. Someone who understood everything that was going on. And she knew who she'd have to seek out.


Nappa opened the door to find a small bluenette on his back doorstep shivering in the rain. His eyebrows shot up in shock. What's she doing here?

"Can I come in?" Bulma asked. She was trembling under her raincoat.

Nappa just opened the door wider for her to step through. "Vegeta isn't here," he said as she stepped into the kitchen.

"I know," Bulma replied. It was Tuesday and she knew he was working at the coffee shop today. It was the perfect opportunity. This could be my only chance. She needed answers. "I came to talk to you." She turned and faced him.

His eyebrows shot up again. "Me?" Bulma nodded. What the hell could she want from me? he thought. But then he got a good look at her. She looked completely wrecked. There were dark circles under her eyes like she hadn't gotten a sound nights sleep in days. And he had an inkling why that was. He hadn't been sleeping too well himself. He motioned for her to follow him to the sofa and they sat down. "I can guess who you're wanting to talk about."

Bulma nodded her head. "I'm... worried," she started. "You're the only one I could think to talk to that would be completely honest with me. Vegeta omits things because he wants to protect me. Raditz just brushes things off. And Goku is, well, Goku."

Nappa chuckled. The girl had the boys pegged. "What do you want to know?"

Bulma took a deep breath. "Vegeta seems to think that the tournament will be rigged to get him into the final match." She looked at Nappa expectantly.

Nappa released a sigh. "Yeah, he's probably right. I can't see them letting him get knocked out too early on in the game."

"That's what he said. But what I don't understand is why he's so blasé about it. Like it means nothing. Because surely if these guys can make it to where it's Vegeta in the finals, they can also ensure he loses."

Nappa shook his head. "They don't play like that. They want Vegeta to give it all he's got. And he might win. But that doesn't mean they won't have something else up their sleeve."

"Something else?"

"Win or lose, it doesn't really matter. It's what happens after the fight that's important. Will they follow through on their word or not."

This didn't make Bulma feel any better. But at least it was honest. "These men Vegeta is meant to fight. How strong are they?"

"They're just as strong as Vegeta or Raditz or Goku. But they fight dirty. And Vegeta refuses to."

"What do you mean?"

"I'm talkin' performance enhancers. Payoffs. Illegal moves. Anything to get under the other fighter's skin. Or get them to tap out early."

Bulma cringed. She couldn't help but think of Zarbon at that moment. "Who do you think will be in the finals with Vegeta then?" She was afraid to hear the answer.

"My money's on Zarbon. Frieza knows those two have beef. He'll try to get in Vegeta's head that way."

Bulma's stomach dropped. She was hoping that wasn't the case. But she knew Nappa was right. Having seen how they both react around each other, it would be stupid to have him fight anybody else. "How badly do you think he'll get hurt?" Bulma asked in a whisper. This is what was truly bothering her. She didn't know if she could watch Vegeta get beaten. Just thinking about it made her want to cry.

Nappa saw the ghost of tears behind Bulma's eyes. He knew this was the crux of her worries. But she came looking for the truth and he would give it to her. "Zarbon is a calculating sonofabitch. He likes to spread his pain. And he knows a lot of Vegeta's weaknesses. So he'll exploit those. I can't see it being a pretty fight. But I know Vegeta won't take it lying down either."

Bulma could sense Nappa's concern as well. After all, he was the one training Vegeta. She could understand the guilt he'd feel if Vegeta got seriously injured. "You're worried too," Bulma stated.

"I am. About all of them. I knew there wasn't really a point for the other two to join the tournament. This is between Vegeta and the Frieza Force. But they wouldn't relent. Now I have three kids going out there risking their lives. And all I get to do is sit back and watch it happen." He had spat out the last part in frustration.

The look on Nappa's face made Bulma sad. It was hard to remember sometimes, but Vegeta was like a son to him. The Son's too. "I know how you feel. I've known Raditz and Goku a long time. And Vegeta... he's special to me. If I lost any of them-" An involuntary sob escaped between Bulma's lips. She wrapped her arms around her torso to keep herself from completely losing it in front of this man who was still practically a stranger to her. She wiped at her eye. "Sorry."

"Don't be. In the short amount of time you and Ouji have been together, I don't think I've ever seen him happier." Bulma looked at him like he was insane. He chuckled. "I know it might not seem like it what with everything going on. But it's clear that he loves you." He looked up at her then. "And you obviously love him." He narrowed his eyes suddenly, making Bulma's eyes widen in disbelief. "But I can sense something from you, girlie," he said almost threateningly. "Don't do anything stupid, you hear me?"

Bulma gaped at him. "I wasn't planning-"

"I didn't say you were. But I know how Vegeta is, and if you're anything like him, which I suspect you are, you'll do anything to keep him out of harms way. Even at the expense to yourself. And I'm telling you right now, that boy will lose it if anything were to happen to you."

Bulma was taken aback by Nappa's words. She wasn't expecting this from him. Although, he was right. She would do anything to protect Vegeta. "I'll try," is all she could promise.

Bulma was lounging on the couch when she heard a knock at the door. She went to go answer it.

"Hey Bulma!" Goku greeted her.

"Hey Goku. Chi Chi's in her room," she said, motioning for him to come in. Bulma looked Goku up and down. He looked spiffy. He had on a pair of khaki pants, a light green button up shirt, and a casual suit jacket on. And he was holding a small bouquet of flowers. "Why, don't you look nice," she smiled.

Goku took hold of the lapels of his jacket. "Yeah," he said with a big grin. "It's date night. I thought I'd take Chi Chi out for dinner."

Before Bulma could close the door behind him, a foot appeared, stopping her. Vegeta stood before her in sweatpants and a white teeshirt. He stared at her then noticed the tall oaf behind her.

"Hey Geta!"

Vegeta just grunted in response. "May I come in," he addressed Bulma.

"Oh!" She hadn't realized she'd been staring. "Yeah. Come in." She didn't expected to see him tonight. He had told her he had a bunch of studying he needed to do for an upcoming exam. He walked in and stood awkwardly between her and Goku.

Just then Chi Chi emerged from her bedroom. Looking hot. Goku's eyes glazed over. Even Vegeta looked a little surprised. Chi Chi wore a lilac colored dress that hugged her bosom and accentuated her figure. It flowed down to her knees in elegant gossamer waves.

"Wow, Chi..." Goku was speechless.

Chi Chi blushed at everyone's reaction. "You like it?" she asked.

"Yeah," Goku said dazed. "You look amazing." He walked up to her and handed her the flowers he'd been holding. "I can't wait to get you out of it," he whispered in her ear. Chi Chi's blush deepened.

Bulma blushed too since Goku, like his brother, could not whisper to save his life. She looked up at her own boyfriend to see his face contorted in utter bewilderment.

Well, I'll be damned, Vegeta thought. I didn't think Kakarot had it in him.

Chi Chi turned to face the other two. "Well I guess we should be going." She felt very awkward for some reason.

"Okay," Goku agreed. He tucked Chi Chi's arm into his elbow. "Let's go." They headed to the door. "See you guys later," he said over his shoulder as they left.

"Have fun you two!" Bulma called after them, shutting the door behind them. She turned to the man in front of her. She didn't know what to say to him. She hadn't expected to see him so soon after her conversation with his godfather.

Vegeta couldn't read the expression on Bulma's face. He stepped up to her and stroked her cheek. She leaned into his touch.

"I didn't think you were stopping by tonight," she said.

"I've done all the studying I can. If I don't know it by now, I never will. And besides," he moved his lips to hers, "I'd rather be with you anyways." He kissed her softly and she released a small moan. Vegeta smiled and pulled back. "What do you want to do?"

Bulma knew that gleam in his eye. But she didn't want sex right now. She just wanted to have a relaxing, stress free evening. "Can we watch a movie?"

"Sure," Vegeta said, although he was a little disappointed.

Bulma sat down on the couch and Vegeta joined her. She threw some of her blanket on him and snuggled into his side. She clicked through some of the streaming sites, trying to find a movie they'd both enjoy. They finally settled on Transformers.

"How's your day been?" Bulma asked as the movie started.

"Boring. Yours?"

Bulma shrugged. "I spent some time with my mom today. And I just spent the last two hours helping Chi Chi get ready for her date."

"Tch. I'm surprised the idiot even does shit like that. He looked completely ridiculous."

"I think it's sweet. And he did not," Bulma slapped Vegeta's chest lightly.

Vegeta jolted. "Would you want to do something like that?" He hadn't thought about it before... Did the woman like sappy stuff like that?

Bulma shrugged. "I wouldn't mind." She hadn't wanted to bring it up, but her and Yamcha would go out to dinner all the time. Vegeta hadn't taken her out once.

Vegeta scowled at her expression. He seemed to read her mind. "Did the weakling used to take you out?"

Bulma's voice was small. "Yeah. I can't really remember a time when we weren't out. But I think that was just his way of showing off and finding other women to cheat on me with."

Vegeta snarled. "That asshole."

"Hey. Don't worry about it. I don't want to think about him right now anyways. I just want to relax and watch a movie with you." She smiled up at him. He moved his arm to pull her closer to him.

Bulma seemed to be engrossed in the film. But Vegeta's mind was elsewhere. He didn't like to think he was somehow being an inadequate boyfriend. He also didn't like the idea of Kakarot having more game than him. And he sure as hell didn't want to be upstaged by the weakling. He began planning in his head and before he knew it, Bulma was fast asleep against his shoulder.


Author's Note:

I think Nappa is my favorite character to write. I love him. And a Bulma and Nappa friendship fills me with so much joy and happiness. I'm literally squeeing!

This chapter is a big turning point for the story and I can't wait for you all to see what I have in store!