Author's Note:

Sorry for the wait guys!

This chapter title comes from the Paramore song of the same name. I consider it to be the theme song for this entire story.

This is my favorite chapter. For many reasons. Hope you guys enjoy!

there's some smut ahead!*


Chapter 28: The Only Exception

Bulma was typing away at the keyboard. She had been in her lab for hours. She could hear the drills and the shouts of the crew working in the room next door. She tried to drown out the noise. Pushing a button on the panel next to her, a random song from her playlist began playing. She hummed along to the music.

"Paramore. I approve," came the deep voice of her boyfriend.

"God Vegeta! Don't scare me like that." She swiveled around in her chair to face him. "How'd you even get down here?"

He held up a Capsule Corporation badge. "I think Barbra is starting to fall for me," he said cheekily.

Bulma rolled her eyes. "I'm sure you've charmed her as well."

"As well?"

"Just like you've charmed my parents. Even my friends seem to tolerate you more than before."

"And you?" He made his way down the stairs and stopped in from of her. "Have I managed to charm you?"

"Hmmm. Almost. I think you could still attempt to win me over." She smiled up at him. She expected him to lean down and whisper something saucy in her ear. What she did not expect was for him to pull her up to her feet and hold her tightly against his broad chest. Nor did she ever image him grabbing her by the waist and spinning her around the lab like it was a dance floor. She laid her hands against his chest as he moved her about the room. Damn. He can dance. Just when Bulma thought she experienced the last surprise from this man, he started singing. Softly. Right next to her ear.

"Darling, you are the only exception..."

Bulma's mind was officially goo. This was something she'd never saw coming. Vegeta is just full of surprises. She listened to his sultry voice sing to her.

"And I've always lived like this. Keeping a comfortable distance. And up until now I had sworn to myself. That I'm content with loneliness. Because none of it was ever worth the risk. But you are the only exception..." He spun her out and then back in. He dipped her low as he sang the words 'you are the only exception' repeatedly. Suddenly he pulled her close to him. He looked straight into her eyes and she could see his intensity as he said, "but I can't let go of what's in front of me here..." And that was it for Bulma. She took hold of his face and kissed him. He returned the kiss, holding her close. He pulled away before things got too heated. He looked at Bulma's face. At her bewildered expression and plump lips.

"I have somewhere I want to take you," Vegeta said. Bulma was taken aback. He seemed almost... nervous when he'd said that.

She followed him out of the compound and they hopped on his bike. Bulma kept her face buried in Vegeta's shoulder as he drove through town. It was misting lightly. Vegeta's heart was racing. He had been wanting to do this for awhile, but now that the moment was here he was trembling with nerves. He pulled up through the cemetery gates and parked next to a tree near the entrance.

"We're here," he told Bulma gently.

Bulma lifted her head. Her eyes widened as she took in their surroundings.

"Vegeta... why're we-"

"Come," he said, getting off his bike and holding his hand out to her to take. She accepted his proffered hand and let him lead them through the sea of headstones. She remained silent as Vegeta walked the known path. Suddenly he stopped and turned to the big heart-shaped piece of marble that was all too familiar to him. Bulma gazed at Vegeta, trying to gage his reaction. She turned to face the grave marker. An involuntary sob-like sound escaped her lips as she read the names on the headstone. They stood there, quietly staring at the words carved into the stone. Neither saying a word. Vegeta broke the silence first.

"I never used to come here. I refused to visit. Out of anger. I remember walking away during the funeral. Nappa's distant voice calling to me. But I wasn't listening. I just... walked away. From all of it. I refused to feel anything. Anything but anger that is." He squeezed Bulma's hand. "Let's just say I was very hard to live with during that time." He gave a derisive laugh. "I don't know how Nappa put up with me."

"He loves you," Bulma whispered.

Vegeta stared at the dirt under his feet. "He was my parents' best friend. My father's best man at their wedding. The only guest in attendance." He scowled as he decided on what to say next. "He knew Frieza back then. They had grown up together..." Bulma blinked in surprise. "Nappa knows a lot about the Colds. The inner workings of the empire. He's probably one of the only people to leave that friendship alive."

"Why?"

Vegeta shrugged. "Frieza was young. Stupid. Maybe he didn't want to have his oldest – his only friend killed. Who's to say. But whatever the reason, I'm grateful. He's probably been more of a father to me in the past 9 years than my own dad was to me those first 13." Bulma's forehead creased in confusion. "My dad stayed busy. He was around. Taught me how to fight. What it meant to be a man. In his eyes, anyways. Strength is power. Defeat makes you stronger. Put your all in everything you do, no matter what. But that's all he did."

"And your mother?"

"She was the same. She knew how to protect herself. Taught me some of her own moves. I told you I was homeschooled. She was a good teacher. But she was never afraid to explain to me what was awaiting me with Frieza. I'm not sure how smart it was to teach a child about the mafia, but to each his own." He frowned. "They taught me all of that, but not to express my emotions." He looked down at Bulma. "You taught me that," he said, bringing their joined hands up to his lips to kiss her knuckles. "They prepared me to be able to fight for my life because they knew I'd have to one day." He stared unseeingly at the tombstone. "I'm doing this for them." He squeezed her hand. "For you." He stared at the tombstone in front of him. "And myself."

Bulma stared up at him. He wasn't crying, but she could see his vulnerability in the creases of his eyes. "Are you scared?" she asked in a whisper.

He looked into her eyes. She could see the hidden emotions in his gaze. His black eyes shown bright with trepidation, glossed with anxiety. "I'm not scared to fight Zarbon. I'm scared of losing." He brushed his hand across her cheek. "Of losing you."

She placed her hand over his. "You'll never lose me," she whispered emphatically.

Vegeta shook his head unbelieving. "You don't know that."

Bulma's heart was breaking. Vegeta hid his fears so well. She had no idea he had been feeling this way. And it made her feel so useless. "Vegeta-"

He grabbed her hand forcefully. "I. Can't. Lose. You." His voice cracked. Silent tears began running down Bulma's cheeks. She hugged him. Crushing herself to him with all of her strength. Vegeta clutched at her back, hugging her just as fiercely. "I love you so much, Bulma."

"I love you, Vegeta." She pulled back. "We will get through this." He was avoiding her gaze. She grabbed his face. "We will get through this." She watched as tears ran down his cheeks. At his defeated expression. She'd never seen him like this. "Vegeta..."

He didn't say anything. He just hugged her again. They stood their holding each other for a long time. So long that the heavy mist that'd been hanging in the air turned to a light drizzle. And then into a downpour. Vegeta pulled away, grabbing her hand and running for cover under the tree where he parked his bike. They were breathing heavy. Out of nowhere Vegeta started laughing. Big hysterical laughs.

"Have you completely lost it?"

"Ha! Probably." He smiled down at his beautiful girlfriend. He cupped her cheek. "You know you're amazing, right."

Bulma smiled. "Yes."

Vegeta shook his head. Droplets of water from his hair hit Bulma in the face. She threw her hands up to protect herself.

"Hey!"

A sinister grin spread over Vegeta's face. He shook his hair out over her, laughing.

"Stop! I'm already wet enough, you shaggy dog!"

Vegeta wound his arms around her waist and nuzzled her neck. He placed a peck over her pulse.

"Please tell me you are not trying to feel me up in a cemetery."

Vegeta smirked. "Not one of your fantasies?"

"Definitely not."

He was feeling a lot better now. I guess I understand now when they say you just need a good cry, he thought. "Come on. Let's get out of this rain."

He drove them back to their apartment building, rain drenching them both as Vegeta swerved through the slick streets. They ran up to the complex, smiling as they tried to get out of the rain as quickly as possible. They were both still smiling as they threw themselves in the elevator, their chests heaving from their run. Small laughter echoed around the little metal box as Vegeta jabbed the button to their floor.

Bulma unzipped her sopping jacket. "Man, I'm soaked."

Vegeta sauntered toward her, his shoes squelching as he trapped her against the elevator wall. "I like when your soaking wet." Bulma eyed him as he moved her jacket off her shoulders. She heard the wet plop as it hit the floor of the elevator. He grasped her chin lightly, hovering his lips over hers. He could feel her breath skate over his face and he dove in for the kiss. Their lips tingled with electricity when they met and they both groaned. Vegeta grabbed Bulma's wrists, locking them in his large hands against the wall beside her head. He moved his knee in between her legs. She could feel his erection on her thigh. They were interrupted by the ding of the elevator doors opening. But Vegeta wasn't ready to stop just yet. He picked her up and dragged her over to the staircase. He dragged his lips down her neck and he pushed her over the railing. A weight had been lifted from him. His fear reduced just the tiniest bit. He loved her so much. He needed her. In more ways than one. And right now he needed to be buried inside her. He turned her around and she grabbed onto the bars of the banister. He pulled her leggings down over her butt and groaned at he saw the thong disappear between her ass cheeks. He unbuckled his jeans and freed himself. Sliding her panties to the side, he ran his fingers over her core. "Mmmm," he hummed in her ear.

"Vegeta please," she moaned.

He didn't waste anymore time and lined himself up at her pussy entrance. Bulma leaned back and took him inside her, unable to wait for him.

"Fuck!" Vegeta grunted. The sound echoed around the staircase.

"Be quiet," Bulma chided.

He leaned down to whisper her in her ear, "I can't help it, woman. Your pussy just feels so damn good." He gave a hard thrust at the word damn making Bulma gasp.

He set a fast pace after that. Moving in shallow thrusts. He slid one hand from Bulma's hip down to her clit, rubbing just where she liked. She tilted her head forward in ecstasy, her head resting on the railing. Vegeta felt her walls fluttering around him. He was losing himself. Bulma could hear that he was about to cum. She nudged his hand away and rubbed her clit for herself. "Don't you dare fucking cum yet," she growled at him. But her words had the opposite affect on him. He tried to hold back but sensation took over and he thrusted in one final time. Bulma hurried to finish as he emptied himself inside her, cumming at the sensation of him filling her. They were breathing heavy, slumped against the staircase. The door at the bottom of the stairs opened, startling them from their post-coital haze. They rushed into Vegeta's apartment. He laughed as he stood back against the door.

"What's so funny?"

"This entire evening. It starts out with us dancing in the lab. Then I take you to a fucking cemetery where I cry my eyes out. And we come back home where I literally fuck you in the stairwell." He laughed again. "What kind of day is that?"

Bulma shrugged. "I don't know. I didn't think it was so bad."

He walked over to her and dropped his forehead against hers. She put her arms around him, hugging him around the waist. "It was an amazing afternoon. Thank you."

"You're welcome," she smiled. "And thank you. For trusting me enough to take me there today."

"I trust you with my life, Bulma." His face was serious.

Bulma looked up into his dark eyes. Her heart squeezed with the love she felt for him. She kissed him. Lightly. Slowly. Their tongues grazing. It was a sensual, sexy kiss. But no less loving.

"Let's take a shower," Bulma suggested against his lips.

He groaned. "I have to be up early in the morning to train."

"Does that mean you can't take a shower with me?"

"No. But I can't have a night filled with sex or Nappa will kill me for being so drained tomorrow."

"How will he know?"

"He may be an old geezer, but he's perceptive as hell."

Bulma pouted. "Fine. I'll just go shower at my place. All alone." She looked up at him through her eyelashes.

He chuckled and kissed her on the nose. "You're adorable. But you're not getting your way," he said with a smirk.

"Humph." Bulma crossed her arms.

"Come on. Out you go. I'll see you tomorrow after training."

He kissed her sweetly at the threshold. "Bye."

"Goodbye." Bulma swished her hips exaggeratedly as she walked to her door. She heard his quiet chuckle as she turned the doorknob. She walked into her apartment with a dopey smile on her face and headed toward her room.

"Hey B. Where've you been? And what's with that look on your face?" 18 asked from the kitchen.

"Nothing. Can't I just be happy?"

Chi Chi entered through the front door then."Hey. Isn't this your jacket, Bulma? I found it in the elevator," she said, hanging the damp hoodie on the coat rack.

Bulma blushed. "Yeah. I must've dropped it earlier. Thanks."

18 looked at Bulma skeptically. "Dropped it, huh?"

"That's what I said."

18 and Chi Chi shared a look. "Uh-huh," 18 smiled. "You sure you want to stick to that story?"

Bulma's cheeks pinked further. "I just-"

"Just got it on with Vegeta in the elevator."

"It wasn't in the elevator. Too short of a ride." The corner of her mouth lifted. "It was in the stairwell..."

Her roommates starting laughing.

"How is that comfortable?" Chi Chi asked through her giggles.

"We were a little too busy to think about any discomfort."

The three girls laughed some more. Chi Chi and 18 moved to hug Bulma.

"I'm glad you're happy, B," Chi Chi said.

"Me too." Bulma smiled.

"I can't believe it. The asshole next door has you all head over heals in love. Remember when she'd come home and complain about him every night, Cheech?"

"Boy, do I. Interrupted a lot of our movie nights. Over the littlest things."

"I'm still right here, you know," Bulma frowned.

"We love you, Bulma," Chi Chi said. "It's just funny. A true enemies to lovers story."

Bulma rolled her eyes. "I'm going to go take a shower now to get away before you two start down memory lane."

"Yeah. Your clothes are soaked. What'd you do, dance in the rain?" 18 asked sarcastically.

"No," Bulma said. "Not in the rain," she whispered to herself with a smile as she walked into her bedroom.


A/N:

Hey guys! So, I have decided that I am going to upload a new chapter every other week from now on. I have been having a lot of writers block with this story and have been struggling finding motivation.

But I just wanted to express how much I truly appreciate you all reading and following this story. It really does mean the world to me 3