Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ or the characters.

So fun fact about this chapter. I had just gotten my knee surgery the week before when I had wrote this and had been really sleepy and not in the mood to go on the computer much. *shock* Well, I guess that's what happens after dealing with invasive surgeries…you want to do nothing. Lol…

Special thanks to NNP, withoutwingsx, KimiruMai, hey-sasstiel, threeam inkblot, AeonWhisperer, maddiethevampire, DaniellaDBZ4ever, iluvveggie, bval1, and guests for reviewing the original chapter.

Vegeta woke up early the next day and looked down to his mate sleeping with her hand and head on his chest. He sighed in contentment as he felt her warm breaths dancing across his chest. This calmness between them was the last thing he had been expecting for when he returned. Before he left, the two of them were at each other's throats. They acted like they hated one another, even though he was actually trying to play off the rejection he had been feeling. Maybe Bulma was trying to play off her fear. Well, if that was the case, they were no longer playing off anything. She wasn't afraid; he wasn't being rejected. Maybe that's why he felt so at ease.

Bulma's eyes started to flutter open as she felt Vegeta's hand up her shirt, gently stroking her back. He didn't realize that she was awake until she placed a short kiss on his chest. He then lifted her up to look her in the eye. She looked a little nervous and bit her lip, but when Vegeta smirked at her, she relaxed.

"Good morning," she whispered.

"Good morning, my princess," he replied before pulling her into a kiss.

She was clearly taken by surprise, but relaxed into him as she put her arms around his neck. Vegeta entwined his fingers into her hair and pulled her closer. When Bulma let out an innocent moan, Vegeta took the opportunity to gently force his tongue into her mouth to lightly caress hers. Bulma felt strong as he continued to taste her. The attention he was giving her made her feel beautiful and loved. He had said something along the lines to her the day after he had taken her as mate. Now Bulma knew that the queen had been telling the truth. Vegeta was in love with her, and to makes things better, Bulma had fallen in love with the prince, too.

When he pulled away, Bulma saw how worried he looked, perhaps thinking that he took it too far. She smiled at him reassuringly and then moved her hands down his back. They rested above his lower back and Bulma said, "Has anyone ever told you that you're a great kisser?"

Vegeta smirked at the praise and chuckled at the girl's attempt to lighten the mood. "With you being the only woman I've ever been with, no, I haven't heard that one before."

Bulma was a little surprised to learn that Vegeta had never been with another before. Everyone kept telling her that he would never take a woman who was unwilling, except for her since his father was going to take her away. She had just assumed that it meant that he had been with willing participants. He was so kind to her and incredibly handsome. How could he have not been with any other? Then Bulma gasped as she realized what that meant.

"I was your first time?" Bulma asked in shock.

Vegeta's eyes widened. He knew Bulma was smart, but he didn't expect her to pick up on that. "I'm not going to answer that," Vegeta told her. "Just let it go."

"I can't let it go, Vegeta," Bulma admitted. "If I had known…Vegeta, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to make you feel-"

"It's fine, Bulma," Vegeta lied. "Don't think about it."

Bulma frowned at him, but still leaned into him and comfortingly rubbed his arms. "Alright, I won't. We don't have to think about it anymore, except for the fact that we are having a child."

Vegeta tensed when she reminded him of that. "Bulma, I didn't mean to get you pregnant."

Bulma smiled. "Who said I'm upset about it?" she pointed out. "I mean, yeah, I'm young and it was an accident, but I'm still happy to be having a child, your child."

Vegeta looked over to her with disbelief shining in his expression. "You…you are?"

"Of course I am," Bulma replied honestly. "I am a little scared, but I have you here with me, and so many others who are on my side. I'm sure that with all the support, I'd be okay."

"You are an amazing woman, Bulma," Vegeta stated sincerely. "Don't forget that."

"Never," she whispered in his ear before the two decided to wake up and start their day. They had a lot to do if they were going to get the tōgoku. But first, they needed to come up with a plan and then recruit as many people as possible. Nothing could go wrong. Their lives depended on their success.

Queen Kalina was sitting out in the garden thinking about the news she had been given from Bardock. Bulma was pregnant. To make matters worse, Nappa had overheard the king threatening Vegeta for taking Bulma as his mate. Her son and the girl she had come to see as her own daughter were both in serious trouble, especially if her mate were to find out about the child.

She was cut from her thoughts by Vegeta's hand on her shoulder. She nearly jumped, but when she saw it was her son, she relaxed. Vegeta looked at her apologetically, not meaning to scare her. She just flashed him a soft smile and patted the spot on the stone bench that was free. He took her invitation and sat down. The queen could tell that he was troubled and she was ready to listen to what her son had to say.

Vegeta heaved a heavy sigh and then started his speech. "Mother, I know how much father hurts you. I have heard it too many times and I'm sick of it. I'm tired of not being able to do anything about it. It needs to end, but I need your help."

"My help?" the queen asked in surprise, although she was more surprised that her son knew what had been going on behind closed doors.

Vegeta nodded. "The woman has a scanner that she said could analyze the tōgoku if we can't destroy it." He was speaking so softly that Kalina almost didn't hear him. She understood, though, since this was something that would mean everyone's death if the king heard. "Would you be able, if we could find a way to drug father or get him drunk, get the tōgoku out of his cloak and get it to the door quickly. I can get it to her and if we can't destroy it, she'll scan it and start studying it."

"This is a very dangerous undertaking, son," the queen whispered, "but I will do whatever you need me to do. What exactly do you intend to do?"

"Get that disgusting contraption away from him, destroy it, and take him down," Vegeta replied. "Even if we can't destroy it now, I'll be damned if I let him get his hands on it again. Using that thing is a coward's act. He isn't a true Saiyan if he needs to hide behind technology alone to rule."

Queen Kalina smiled. "You remind me of your grandfather," she told him. "He was so dedicated to the people and had so much pride. I never told you how you father and I met."

Vegeta growled. "I do not wish to hear it."

The queen smiled and took her son's clenched fist in her hand. "It's more of a story about your grandfather."

Vegeta sighed in defeat and closed his eyes. "Go on."

"Well…I was an orphan. I lost my parents to a fire and ended up having to provide for myself. I would steal the food, water, and clothes I needed. I was fast and never got caught, but one day I was in over my head and robbed a group of alien bandits. I couldn't outrun them and honestly, I was expecting my death. But then, a blast destroyed the aliens and I looked up to see the king, your grandfather, standing over me with a smile and outstretched hand."

"He…he rescued you?" Vegeta questioned. "I…father always said that-"

"I was from an upper-class family and that our marriage was arranged by the council before he disbanded it," she recited. "And that is true. The king brought me back to the palace and had a servant clean me up and nurse me. I was on my last leg when they brought me in, dying from malnourishment. When I was cleaned up your grandfather personally brought me food and sat with me as I ate. He was so kind to me and decided to allow me to live in the palace when he heard what had happened to my family. He had me trained to be a princess for the most part. He thought I would be a good choice for his son to marry and the council followed his wishes. I met your father about a week after the king had taken me in. He was kinder as a child. I have no idea what changed him, but I must admit I do not miss the illusion of what he was."

"I hope to be as good of a ruler as grandfather was," Vegeta said unsure of his own credentials.

His mother squeezed his hand reassuringly. "You will, my son. Do not doubt yourself. You are strong and have a good heart. If you ever feel yourself losing that kindness, I know that Bulma will remind you of your true self."

Vegeta didn't respond. His silence was all his mother needed as a sign that he heard her. His silence meant that he was reflecting on the words spoken. Not many people knew that about her son.

He stood up abruptly and said, "I have a few more people to see, but this will be taking place…tonight."

The young Saiyan quickly made his way back inside the palace. The queen just watched his retreating form and silently prayed that they would be successful. She didn't think she could take much more abuse.

Bulma was unpacking all of her things that Vegeta had brought from Earth. He managed to find a few of her outfits. They had been in a different room than where he had found her. She would have told him back then so that she could get dressed, but she was so traumatized at that time. Well, it felt nice to be in her own clothes, not that Saiyan clothes weren't comfortable. She went to go look in the mirror to study her appearance in her old outfits. She looked like a seventeen year old girl again. It was hard to believe that's how old she actually was. She had lost her family and planet, she was mated to a prince of another one and having his child, and she was helping to take down one of the worst tyrants she had ever met (not that she met that many to begin with).

She didn't notice Vegeta staring at her as she studied herself. His eyes roamed up and down her form in curiosity. He had never seen such a bright blue color before, especially on any Saiyan woman, but it suited her. She looked like a youthful spirit. Vegeta couldn't help but picture what she may have been like as an Earthling teenager. He may not have been the one to take that away from her, but he felt guilty nonetheless.

Bulma decided to do a little spin, but paused mid-spin as her eyes met Vegeta's. Her smile made his tense form relax. She walked over him and rested her hands on his shoulders. "I wanted to thank you again for bringing me all of these things from Earth," she whispered. "I can't believe you actually brought my mother's wedding dress."

"W-Wedding dress? What's that?" Vegeta asked.

Bulma blushed a little causing him to chuckle. "Well," Bulma started, "it's like our mating process, I suppose. On Earth, people got to know each other by dating. It's how they knew if you were compatible with the other. They would exchange life stories, sometimes way before any physical contact. Some would start off slow and, somewhere down the line, people would fall in love. When they were in love, the man would often propose giving a diamond ring to the person he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. Then, if the woman would say 'yes,' they would plan a ceremony with all their friends and family who would watch them promise to be with one another forever, no matter what, until death parted them. The man would wear a tux, and the woman would where a white dress. That's pretty much what a wedding was like."

Vegeta nodded. He understood what it was, but he didn't like the part where she said "until death parted them." It didn't work that way with Saiyans…well, it did, but only to mates that weren't fully bonded. They could have a partial bond, like Kakarot's mother and father, where they have a connection, but if one died, there would just be a dull ache in the other. They could be with other Saiyans, but it would never fulfill that ache. There could be no bonding like his own mother and father where it didn't matter if one died. The other would be free to move on to anyone. Or it could be a full bonding like he and Bulma. If Vegeta were to die, it was possible Bulma would survive from being human; but if she died, he would too. That is why he told her that she completed him when he was so worn out that day. Maybe he had to explain it to her.

"We do have ceremonies here as well," Vegeta told her. "We just haven't had one because of my father, but as soon as he is gone, I will publically accept you in a ceremony, though everyone seems to already know." Bulma smiled as he continued. "There are different types of mates: those who are bonded, those who are not, and those who are somewhere in between. I am not sure about the 'love' thing that you mentioned. We do not truly have a word for it. 'Love' cannot describe the feelings that bonded and partially bonded pairs feel for the other. There is no 'death parting.' Partially bonded mates will always long for their other half, though they will not die when they do, like Kakarot's parents. Bonded mates…like us…if one dies, the other will as well. I'm not sure how it will work for you since you are human, but that is the extent. The feeling is much stronger than the word 'love.' We know of the word because it seems so universal, but we hardly ever use it unless in the presence of an alien species."

Bulma blinked a few times processing everything she was just told. Vegeta had just pretty much told her that he loved her…no not love. He felt for her something woman on her planet could only dream of. He felt so strongly for her that words could not convey his feelings.

"The closest thing we say is-" Vegeta began to say, but was cut off by Bulma.

"You complete me," she said sincerely as she squeezed his shoulders. A few tears ran down her face and Vegeta wiped them away.

"Yes, my yuubutsu," Vegeta replied with an intense sincerity. "You complete me."

Bulma's face lit up and she jumped into his arms. He easily caught her and pulled her as close to him as possible without hurting her or their child. He had nearly forgotten what he had originally come to talk to her about as she kissed him with passion. He brought her to their bed and laid them both down without breaking the kiss. He knew this was about all she could handle right now and that was honestly all he wanted, the closeness. He would not push her because he truly cared for her. She was his woman and he respected her and was grateful that he had found her that day. Without her, he would have very little to live for. Sure, he had his mother, brother, and people, but until she came, he had given up and not even they could keep him motivated.

They broke apart and took in gasps of air. Bulma snuggled into Vegeta, and he stroked her back and took in her scent. It comforted him to know that she was safe from his father, unless he would find out about their plans. Then he was reminded of what he came to tell her.

"I had nearly forgotten," he said with a hazy voice that seemed so far away.

"Forgotten what?" Bulma gasped, still out of breath.

"I spoke with my mother, the cook, Nappa, and Bardock. Bardock is sending his three sons to guard you in the lab just in case. The cook will put a drug in everything my father eats. It's a muted drug that does not work after a few bites so that the taste tester will not be affected by it. He will be out of it and my mother will then go to him and distract him as she takes the tōgoku. She'll call Nappa in, who will be her guard for the night, dismiss him for the night, and inconspicuously hand him the device. I will race it to you and we can try to destroy it, but if we can't, you will scan it and I will hide it. Without it, my father is weak and I can easily destroy him and take the throne."

"I'm sorry you have to kill your father," Bulma said without thinking.

Vegeta looked at her incredulously. After everything his father had done, he had no familial ties to the man; yet Bulma was concerned that Vegeta would feel guilty for it. "It is what is best for the people, for my mother and brother, for us…I will have no regrets in ending this suffering."

Bulma flashed him a look of understanding and pride. Vegeta choked back a gasp. He felt so incredibly strong just by this one, simple look. He knew that look meant that she took pride in him, in his strength, and in who he was. That meant more to him than his people having faith in him, or even his mother believing in his ability to rule.

Before Vegeta could say anything, Bardock rushed into the room.

"Princess, I need you," he told her desperately.

"What's wrong?" Bulma asked. The look on Bardock's face revealed a hopelessness that Vegeta had never seen in their palace doctor.

"You…you said that you had some experience with medicines, correct?" Bardock asked hopefully.

"Yes, why?" Bulma responded before she gasped. "Gine?" Bardock only nodded. Bulma glanced over to Vegeta in panic.

Vegeta nodded to her and took her in his arms. "We'll get there faster if we fly," he told Bardock as the three of them left the palace.