Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ

Chapter 7: Couple?

Vegeta didn't know where to take Bulma and ended up taking her to his room in the palace. He dropped her still kicking self on his bed and walked into his bathroom. Bulma furiously got up and walked right after him. "How could you do that to poor Raditz?"

Vegeta sneered at her endearing tone and began to wash the blood off his hands and body over his sink. On the way over he came to the conclusion that he had enough with playing this game of hers. She was his and if anyone had a problem with it then they could die. "He will survive. That's what tanks are for."

"You had no right to attack him just because you were jealous-"

"It was more than that you idiot."

"Look I told you that I didn't know about the whole watching Saiyans train thing. Raditz probably didn't even know about our date so it's me you should be upset with, but you still totally over reacted."

"Raditz knew better. He deliberately tried to go behind my back. Even had his idiot brother play a part."

"Turles was completely surprised to see me."

"He had Kakarot try distract me to keep me from finding out. He knew that I wanted you and he went behind my back so therefore I broke his."

"Ok I didn't know that part...but you didn't have to hurt him so badly."

Vegeta was so angry that he almost broke his faucet when he turned it off. He faced Bulma and crossed his arms over his chest. "And you didn't have to go between two comrades. Or is this a part of your anti-slut culture?"

She slapped him hard across his face. So hard that he flinched and she had to cradle her hand in pain. "I am not a slut." she said trying to ignore the throbbing and walked back into the bedroom.

Vegeta was angry that she slapped him but didn't want to deal with the tears that he had seen building up in her eyes. "Foolish Woman." He said as he swiped a jar of healing salve off his bathroom counter and followed after her. Bulma stepped away from him but he snatched her arm. "Will you just give me your blasted hand?"

Bulma was really trying to hold back tears but the thought of pain went away as she watched Vegeta apply the salve to her hand. She was surprised of how quickly the pain disappeared. "Thank you." She muttered.

"Whatever. I'm going to take a shower. Don't go anywhere." He said as he disappeared into his bathroom this time closing the door.

Bulma really didn't understand this guy and she really couldn't' understand why she put up with him either. How he could make her go from zero to hundred then back down to zero still amazed her...and worried her a bit. She sighed with frustration and then looked around his large and spacious room.

'Wow this place is as big as my house!'

His bed posts and frame was made of a black marble like material and the floors had the same marble. The ceiling had crown molding that circled into the center with a large chandelier hanging from the center that looked like the sign of the house of Vegeta on all sides. The walls were painted a navy blue and the furniture was all navy but very comfortable. The bed was huge. You could probably fit like 10 people on there. She touched the extremely soft white sheets and briefly wondered how many girls have been in there. She couldn't help the wave of jealousy that washed down her spine.

"If you want to get in it I won't mind."

Bulma turned around to give Vegeta a snippy comment but stopped once she realized he was only wearing a towel. "See something you like Woman?"

"Will you please put on some clothes?"

"I intend to but they are all out here." He said walking over to his dresser and letting his towel fall.

Bulma caught a glimpse of his backside and turned around blushing. "What are you doing?"

"I'm getting dressed. What's your problem?"

"You're naked!"

"So?"

"Good grief. You shouldn't just get naked in front of a lady. It's inappropriate."

"More of your Earthling nonsense?"

"It's not nonsense. If it was okay for everyone to walk around naked then everyone would do so."

"If you haven't noticed we Saiyans wear very little clothing." He said as he grabbed her shoulders and spun her around. Bulma was pleased to see that he was now fully dressed in a training suit. "Now to matters at hand; from this point on you will be my Woman. I will not tolerate you seeing other men."

Bulma scoffed at him and shook his arms away. "You can't make me your girlfriend like that Vegeta! Two people have to get to know each other and then come to an agreement!"

"What more do you or I need to know? Besides everyone already thinks it. That's why I didn't understand how that idiot didn't know I had gone out with you."

"What do you mean everyone already thinks it?"

"Woman read the news every now and then." Vegeta walked back into the bathroom where he had left his scouter and came back out and showed her that news of their date had traveled around the universe already.

Bulma scrolled through the headlines not saying a word for a moment then looked back to him shock. "How did they find out?"

Vegeta rolled his eyes. "Woman I'm the Prince, reporters tail me all the time."

She narrowed her eyes at him suspiciously. "Did you plan this?"

"No! Look, this is happening Woman, deal with it."

"No! You might boss everyone else around but you are not going to boss me around! IF we ever go out, we will go out when I say-"

Vegeta silenced her with a kiss. Seeing her standing proudly in the privacy of his bedroom trying to establish dominance over him was just too much. She hesitantly kiss him back and after a few moments he let her go pleased that that his action had worked at shutting her up and cradled her face in the palms of his hands. He looked deep into her eyes almost daringly.

"Tell me you feel nothing for me. Tell me you don't want me. Tell me that I will be wasting my time for all eternity chasing you down and I will have someone escort you home and never bother you again."

Bulma hesitated and opened her mouth. She wanted so badly to tell him to jump off the tallest building without flying afterwards, but her heart was pounding so fast and her brain felt like pudding. She felt torn between his bipolar actions. He threatened her yet he kissed her. He bullied her yet he took her out. He assaulted her and then acted like a complete gentleman. She should knee him in his 'royal junk' like she did before and get out of there.

But for some un-explainable reason she said,

"I...can't."

Vegeta smirked at her pleased with her response. "Alright then." He said right before he kissed her again. This time it was a bit more passionate as she quickly responded to him. Even with her complaining he knew that there was no way she could deny the passion that was between them. He ran his hands up and down her back, silently wishing she didn't have her armor on so that he could feel her soft skin like he did the night before. He pressed her closer as she placed her hands on the back of his head, deepening the kiss. He heard her moan and was about to take things up a notch when there was a knock at the door.

Vegeta tore his lips away and yelled, "Go Away!" He bent his head back down to kiss his Woman again, but stopped once there was another knock. "They're dead." Vegeta said as he stomped his way to the door. He saw that it was Nappa and was about to slam the door back into his face until he quickly said,

"The Queen wants to see you."

Vegeta's hand paused and opened the door again. He sighed heavily then looked over toward Bulma. "Stay here." He said and he frowned as she crossed her arms in annoyance of being told what to do. He could tell she was about to argue with him and he rolled his eyes. "It's for your own good. Trust me." He said before he left out.

Bulma raised an eyebrow at the now close door and clucked her tongue. 'Trust him? Like that would happen.'

But she had to ignore the rational side of her brain that she already did on a certain level. She had already accused him plenty of times of being after her virtue yet here she was making out with him in his bedroom, right next to his bed!

'Get a grip Bulma! Do not let him play with you.'

She didn't even want to think about the whole 'boyfriend girlfriend' thing. Could she really agree to that? She looked back to the bed and realized really quickly that she had to be on guard when Vegeta touched her. His hands and lips apparently had the power to turn her scientific brain to mush.

…

It didn't take long for Vegeta to reach his mother's war room. She was pacing back and forth like a mad woman and was yelling at him before he could even bow to her.

"Have you lost your mind? Honestly Vegeta out of all the girls that go to your school you had to pick her? Do you know what will happen once you are done playing with her? If the press had a field day before they will go crazy when they find out that the Prince used their beloved 'Alien Princess' for a fling!"

"It's not a fling." Vegeta growled.

"Excuse me? Even with my fantastic hearing, I don't think I heard you right."

"I said it's not a fling mother. Bulma is my Woman."

The Queen stared at her son and started laughing. "Oh son you must be joking."

"I am not."

Her laughter died instantly. "You mean to tell me that the first girlfriend to the Saiyan Prince is not even a Saiyan?"

"Yes."

"What is wrong with you? How do you think our people will see this? Don't you fear that people will think that you will mate her and have a half breed as an heir?"

"No one is thinking that far down the road-"

"That is your problem! You only think of here and now and I won't have it Vegeta."

"You don't have to worry about that Mother I won't let it get that far."

"Oh please with your hormones? You're just like your blasted father."

It was true that he wanted Bulma, but he could most definitely control himself. "We're not having sex."

"But you can't promise me that you won't can you?"

"It's against her culture to have sex before marriage." He blurted out, not entirely sure if that was true or if it was only a declaration from Bulma.

The Queen raised an eyebrow at that. "Is that so?"

"Yes."

"Well then the two of you won't mind doing a press conference then. I can't stop you from dating her...at least at the moment...and I can't harm her, not while she's uplifted in the people's eyes. So you will ensure all the lovely Saiyan girls that desire you that you will not have intercourse with the alien. Yes, aliens will respect you and the Saiyans will see her as your pet. Tell your girlfriend to prepare."

Vegeta winced at the word 'pet' and knew that Bulma would explode if she found out about that. He also knew that his mother would explode if she knew that Saiyan girls already respected her and wouldn't see her as a 'pet'. Perhaps the adults and the elders would, but because of her little stunt at school, she was set for life. He also didn't want her to know that he wasn't the only Saiyan male that wanted Bulma. The simple fact that he and Raditz wanted her probably made more men want her.

But if his mother didn't know there was no need in telling her. "As you wish Mother."

The Queen waved her hand dismissing him and turned toward the windows in her war room that overlooked the capital. She heard Nappa come back in the room and caught his bowing reflection in the glass.

"I want you to find out what you can about what's really going with these two. I also want to know what everyone 'thinks' about the two of them so that we can stay ahead of the game."

"How should I go about doing that?"

"Interview the students. The Saiyans at Saiyan high are the socialites of the universe. What they think of someone is what every teenager thinks. Start there."

"Yes your Highness."

She watched him leave and then sighed as she scrolled through some reports on her digital tablet. She told herself that this whole situation was nothing and would blow over soon, but something else told her that it was only the beginning.

Meanwhile…

Bulma was retying her ponytail in Vegeta's bathroom mirror, due to the lose strands that fell during the flight over, when there was a knock at the door. She was surprised and didn't know what to do about it. Vegeta had told her not to leave, but he didn't say anything about letting someone in. "C-come in." She stuttered as she walked out of the bathroom.

All the air left her body and her eyes became huge as she saw none other than the King enter. She gasped loudly and bowed to him.

"You are definitely not my son."

"I-I'm...uh Hi?" She said nervously as she stood back up.

The King raised an eyebrow and looked her over. "So you are the one that is all over the headlines."

It wasn't a question but she answered anyways. "Yes that's me your Highness."

The King walked around her looking her up and down and stopped once he was in front of her again. "I was curious what my son's taste would be once he tried an alien. I highly approve."

Bulma didn't know how to take that. "I'm sorry...tried?"

"You are the first alien I have heard him with. You are very pretty, weak, but pretty. Take your hair down."

Bulma felt awkward but did what the King asked and took her hair out the high pony tail. Like water being free from a dam it fell around her face. The King reached out a hand and touched her hair not surprised that it was just as soft as it appeared to be. He smirked and then said, "I approve Vegeta."

Bulma looked past the King and saw Vegeta standing in the doorway. He didn't seem very pleased.

"No offense father, but I didn't ask for your approval." He seethed as he strode over and swatted the King's hand away.

The King merely laughed. "Oh you'll want it once your mother finds out."

"She already has."

"And the girl is still alive? I'm impressed with you once again son."

"She wants us to do a press conference."

"What?" Bulma asked.

"Apparently you are more popular than you know." Vegeta said to Bulma but still keeping his eyes on his father.

The King was amused at how Vegeta was protective over the girl. Because it was his first alien girl he didn't mind his attachment for the moment, but he would keep an eye on them just in case. "Well I have to get going. You have my permission to mate, just no half breeds."

Bulma's jaw drop. "We're not going-"

"Of course Father." Vegeta said cutting her off.

The King left out and Bulma wasted no time in hitting Vegeta in the arm. "Why did you let him leave here thinking that we are going to 'mate'?"

"Because he wouldn't believe otherwise. My father has a problem with women and believes that I have the same."

Bulma crossed her arms and looked at his bed. "Do you?"

Vegeta looked at her and smirked. "Now who's jealous?"

"It's not jealousy and as a matter of fact it's none of my business because we are not a couple."

Vegeta snorted he didn't care what she didn't want to admit anymore. "I have been with my share of Saiyan girls but I don't have a problem with women."

Bulma tapped her foot on the floor as she took that information in. She hated to give in but she couldn't help the question roll of her tongue. "Any Saiyan girl I know?"

Vegeta cut his eyes at her. "Look I already have my mother sticking her nose into my business I don't need you to as well. Now, where were we before we got interrupted?" He said pulling her to him.

Bulma gave him a fake smile and stepped away from him. "You're funny. The Queen wants me to do a press conference and you want me to just forget about that and make out with you? Nice try. Now it's clear that everyone is mistaking our date for something more and you need to go clear it up."

Vegeta lazily laid down on his bed while crossing his arms underneath his head against the pillows. "I will do no such thing Woman. I already told you that I'm making it official."

Bulma placed her hands on her hips. "You can't do that Vegeta! I didn't agree to this!"

Vegeta smirked. "You are a stubborn one. Everyone already thinks so including the King and Queen. But if you want to change their minds feel free to go to track down my parents. But I must warn you, they hate having their time wasted."

Bulma shook with frustration. "You are insane!"

"And so are you!" Vegeta said sitting up straight. "You can't stand me one moment then kiss me the next. I'm tired of your games Woman."

Bulma glared at him and crossed her arms. "Fine then I'll tell everyone the truth at the press conference."

"Oh really? You can't deny me when it's only the two of us. What makes you think you can do that with the whole universe watching?"

Bulma's mouth went dry for a moment. "The whole universe?" He simply nodded and Bulma shakily breathed in and out. This whole thing had gotten terribly out of control really fast. What would the King and Queen do if she denied Vegeta in front of everyone?

"Don't be nervous Woman. My mother will have to approve of the questions of course."

"What kind of questions would they ask? Like what planet I'm from?"

Vegeta's amusement left him for a moment. Bulma still didn't know about her home planet and this could be dangerous. He was positive that if Bulma couldn't hack into something and find out about it then no one could. But all it took was for someone to tell her the truth about it, someone that had been there.

"Vegeta?"

"Hn?"

"You kind of blanked out on me for a second."

"Oh, just prepare yourself for everything Woman."

"My parents are going to go crazy." She groaned.

"You should tell them immediately. Knowing my mother, she will probably have something set up tomorrow."

She turned to him with pleading eyes. "Vegeta, I already told you that I can't deny that there is something there, but I honestly don't think you're boyfriend material."

Vegeta cracked his neck and got up from his bed. He walked over to her and looked her up and down. "Material huh?"

Bulma swallowed and nodded her response.

Vegeta leaned down and whispered so seductively across her lips. "But you haven't even tried me on?"

Before she could respond he bent his head and kissed her again. She kicked herself mentally for giving into him. It was really hard to make her case when she was consistently kissing him back every chance she got. But it wouldn't be so friggin hard if he wasn't so darn good at it. He literally took her breath away each time.

What Bulma didn't know was that she was affecting Vegeta just as much as he was affecting her. He honestly swore on the blood of his ancestors that if another man, Saiyan or not even looked Bulma's way they were going to get blasted.

Vegeta broke the kiss and inhaled at her neck enjoying her scent. Bulma pulled him closer and tried to think coherent thoughts. "H-hey are you going to take me back to school or take me home or are you planning on keeping me trapped here all day?"

Vegeta nuzzled his nose against her a little bit longer then cradled her head in his hands like he had done earlier while looking into her eyes again. "I will take you home...later". He said right before he bent his head and kissed her again. Tired of fighting Bulma gave in once more.

That Evening...

Chichi closed the shop and then went into the bathroom and fixed her hair. Butterflies were fluttering in her stomach and she had to keep from giggling like an idiot while waiting for Kakarot to show up. Right on cue he did. She went to the door and opened it and was greeted by a variety of wild flowers.

Kakarot blushed and looked like a kid that didn't know if they did something good or bad and was just waiting for a response from their parent. "I asked around and heard that aliens sometimes give food or plants to one another. I went with the plants because you cook in a restaurant."

Chichi felt like she was floating. She had spent a lot of her day being jealous of Bulma and was starting to think Kakarot would never do anything alien for her and he surprised her. "Thank you so much. They're perfect." She said taking the flowers from him.

"Really? Great!" He said grinning. She stepped to the side and he came in and sat down at his spot in the kitchen.

Chichi placed the flowers in a pitcher and poured water in it as she cleared her throat. "My father is starting to get curious of how we are making so much money in the evening but yet don't have a lot of customers. I didn't tell him about you because I didn't know how much longer you wanted to keep this a secret."

Kakarot's eyes narrowed. "I didn't say that it was a secret."

Chichi sighed and sat down across from him at the small table. "I'm not an idiot Kakarot. You come through the back and only when we're closed. Not to mention you love the food but haven't told your other Saiyans about it. I'm grateful for you and I love your company, but I can't lie. I was hoping that you would kind of be our big break into the restaurant district."

Once again Kakarot felt guilty. He had gotten her hopes up and there was no way he could help her. He couldn't tell anyone about this place and it went beyond his father, Bulma, and Vegeta. If word got back to Chichi that he was the reason why she wasn't on Earth right now living a happy life with her mother...he didn't know how he would take it...he wouldn't know how she would take it.

Kakarot reached across the table and grasped her hands in his. "It's complicated. These things are tricky and-"

"Are you ashamed of me?"

"What? No."

Chichi shrugged her shoulders. "I've been telling myself that you aren't using me and that you're not that kind of a guy. But I'm really starting to like you...a lot and I don't know if-"

Chichi's words stopped once she felt hard and soft lips seal hers shut. She sighed and kissed him back with a desire that she didn't know she had. She assumed that sitting across from him was a bit awkward for him because he had no problem reaching for her and scooping her up into his arms. He kissed her desperately as if he was trying to say something that he couldn't voice with words. Chichi didn't know what that was but she didn't care. She was only happy that she felt his emotions in the kiss just as much as he was no doubt feeling hers.

Kakarot broke the kiss for a moment. "I'm sorry I-"

He was cut off as Chichi kissed him again. He obliged her happily. He couldn't sit there listening to her say such things. He could never use her. He felt like he owed her and there was nothing he could do for her, but something happened along the way. In only a few days he had become more emotional than he ever had in his life. He found himself wanting to see her smile, see her happy and it made him feel good when he knew it was him that was the cause of it. Somewhere between his guilt and her cooking...he ended up wanting her.

"Grrrbrrnmmr."

They both broke away laughing as Kakarot's stomach voiced it's desire. Kakarot blushed and then laughed, "Sorry. I haven't eaten since lunch."

Chichi pecked him on the mouth and stepped away from him. "I'll make you something."

"Yes Mam." Kakarot watched her smiling form glide around the kitchen and frowned. "I'll get you your dream one day Chichi. I promise." He said sadly. He knew that once that day happened, she would never want to see him again. But he was willing to allow her to hate him in order to be happy. He just couldn't do it at the moment. Rather that was because of his father or because he didn't want to let her go, he didn't know.

Oblivious to his inner war, Chichi smiled at him and nodded. "Thank you Kakarot. So does this mean we're dating?"

Kakarot rubbed the back of his neck. "Well I guess yea."

"Wonderful! I can't wait to-oh wow she's here!"

Kakarot's eyes went to what Chichi was looking at. The video camera showed that Bulma was at the back door and Vegeta was right behind her. Kakarot paled and thought about running out the front door, but Chichi would more than likely still tell them. There was no avoiding it, he was caught. He watched as she went to the back door and opened it.

"Hi Bulma. Your Majesty." Chichi said bowing.

Bulma stepped in and frowned at her friend. "What are you still doing here? Vegeta was taking me home but I remembered that I left one of my scouters here the other night and-"

"Why are you here Kakarot?" Vegeta asked while glaring at him. Bulma didn't even realize that Kakarot was there and was really surprised.

Kakarot gulped and then Chichi walked over to him and rubbed his shoulders. "We are dating."

Bulma clapped her hands together. "That's wonderful Chi! I can't believe you never told me!"

Vegeta crossed his arms to prevent punching Kakarot's head off his shoulders. "Wonderful indeed. Kakarot, outside now!" He said turning on his heels and walking out the door.

Kakarot exhaled and left the stunned women in the restaurant.

"What's his problem?" Chichi asked.

Bulma rolled her eyes. "With Vegeta you never know."

Outside...

"What are you doing Kakarot?"

"I like her Vegeta."

"You are going to mess everything up! You are the last person that needs to be dating an Earthling."

"I...she's different from other girls."

Vegeta rolled his eyes. "Do you think she would still want you if she knew the truth? I'm telling you to get out now before it's too late."

"I can't. Besides if I break it off with her now then they will both think that you made me do it. And from what I hear Bulma can be a very unforgiving person."

Vegeta narrowed his eyes at him. "Are you threatening me?"

"No, I'm just telling you the truth. You know it and I know it."

Vegeta wanted to knock his head right off but he was right. "You shouldn't have done this in the first place."

"Well it's done."

"Fine, but I swear on the tails of our ancestors you better keep your mouth shut! If Bulma finds out I will personally demote you to a low level class for the rest of your life."

Kakarot winced. "That's pretty harsh."

"Don't test me! Now, the Queen wants Bulma and I to do a press conference so I'm going to see your father after I drop Bulma off. You are coming with me."

Kakarot felt a bit panicked. "Why?"

"Because things were already complicated and you made it even worse!"

Kakarot looked back at the restaurant. He knew things could end very badly, but he didn't regret one single moment with Chichi. "Yes your highness."

Vegeta glared at him then walked back into the restaurant with Kakarot right behind him. Before he could say that they were leaving Chichi excitedly said,

"The four of us are going to go on a double date!"

Bulma bit her lip nervously and Vegeta looked back at Kakarot who was grinning like an idiot. "Kill me now."

Author's Note: What will Bardock do to prevent Bulma from finding out anything else about Earth? What will the Queen find out and how will she react with that information? How will the press conference go? And what will the double date be like? Will there be a bit of Saiyan rivalry? Please Review!