Disclaimer: I do not own DBZ

Chapter 21: Introductions

The three people looked at the intruder in shock not really knowing what to do. Of all the surprises that were made known that night, this was the most unexpected.

Feeling the heavy burden of the awkward silence, Yamcha shook his head and laughed. "I know it must be strange to see me standing here. You guys must have thought you were the only ones."

The Ox King looked him up and down. "Are you really a human?"

"Yes I am."

Kakarot was unsure of the newcomer. He had met other survivors of his purges before and none of the experiences were pleasant. There was always revenge in the back of their minds, just waiting for the opportunity to let lose. Any other time Kakarot wouldn't feel threatened, but having a pregnant non-Saiyan wife changed things.

Chichi smiled and moved to step forward, but Kakarot held out his arm stopping her.

"Kakarot what are you-?"

"Why are you here?" Kakarot said while eyeing Yamcha.

Yamcha squared his shoulders at Kakarot's sudden threatening tone. "To unite with my people. News of the alien Princess has spread across the universe and Earthling survivors are finally finding each other."

Chichi smiled with happiness. "Other survivors?"

Kakarot narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "If you followed the media wave then you know who I am?"

"Yes I do."

"And you have no resentment towards me?"

"How can I not? I have resentment towards the whole empire. But there is nothing I can do about it."

"Good. As long as you realized that."

Chichi gasped. "Kakarot!"

Kakarot finally turned and looked at his wife. "He knows he can't harm me but that doesn't mean that he won't try to harm you instead."

Yamcha bowed his head in respect. "I would never harm another Earthling. There are so few of us left."

The Ox King cleared his throat. "Does the vow also include half breeds?"

"Yes. I have only come to unite with my people. I promise."

Kakarot couldn't tell if he was lying. "How many came with you?"

"Just one other. My friend Krillian. Others were too afraid to come."

"So they sent their bravest?" Kakarot asked looking him up and down in amusement."

Chichi didn't like it one bit. "Kakarot! Will you please stop being so rude! Yamcha, why were the others afraid to come?"

"To be honest we didn't know what the real situation was between you and the Alien Princess. You could have been brain washed or forced into a marriage just to appease all the alien worlds."

"So you have been spying on us?" Kakarot sneered.

"Only observing."

"And what conclusions have you come up with?"

"That Chichi and her father are in no harm of you."

"And if they were?"

"Then I would have left."

There was a quiet stare down between the two. Both of the males not entirely trusting the other. Kakarot broke first with a glance towards the entrance.

"Where is your friend now?"

"Outside with the getaway car."

"Go get him. I don't like being watched."

Yamcha smirked then turned to go get his friend.

Once he was gone Chichi punched Kakarot in the side even though he didn't even flinch.

"Kakarot why are you-"

"It's for your own safety." He said cutting her off. "We don't know them. I must contact Vegeta immediately." He tried contacting him a few times but he got no response.

"Come on pick up man."

Meanwhile….

"HAhaha!" Bulma laughed as she moved away from the bed wrapped only in a thin sheet.

Vegeta, nude as the day he was born, was in a crouching position on the bed ready to pounce. "Foolish Woman, you think you can escape me?"

Bulma giggled once more and tightened the sheet around her. "I told you that there would be consequences if you kept marking me. So you get a 'time out'."

Vegeta cracked his neck and slowly got out of the bed. Bulma watched his movements waiting for the right moment to run away.

"Woman you don't give the commands I do. I am the Saiyan Prince-"

"And I am the Alien Princess."

"A title that means nothing."

"It got your attention."

"Yes and now you must pay the price for doing so."

He charged her and she tried to maneuver to the side but he of course was far too fast. He scooped her up in his arms and started to assault her neck even more aggressively than he did before causing her to laugh.

"Vegeta NO! My whole neck is going to be ruined!"

"That's what you get!"

He brought her back to the bed and stopped as he saw his scouter blinking like crazy.

"What is it?" Bulma pouted disappointed for the interruption.

Vegeta thought about ignoring it, but the repeated blinking lights meant that he was contacted repeatedly. With a frustrated growl and silent vow to kill whoever was interrupting him, he grabbed the scouter and placed it on.

Bulma decided to take advantage of the opportunity and assault his neck while he was distracted. He didn't seem to mind so she continued.

Vegeta believing that he can multi-task Bulma's affections and yell at someone else carried on.

"Kakarot what is it and make it q-quick."

Bulma couldn't help but giggle at his slight stutter.

Vegeta growled in frustration for more than one reason. "Kakarot?"

"Uh- yea. Sorry you sound occupied."

"I am! Not get on with it!"

"I showed Chichi the restaurant I bought for her and Earthlings showed up."

Vegeta stood up from the bed and looked back at a puzzled Bulma. "Vegeta what's wrong?"

Vegeta turned away from her. "Kakarot are you sure?"

"Yes. I just spoke with a male and another is coming into the restaurant as well. The one told me that they came from a small fraction of surviving Earthlings. Apparently they sent these two to check us out and to see if we had brain washed Bulma and Chichi."

Vegeta didn't like that at all. "What are their intentions?"

"They say to unite their people."

"Stay put. I'll be there shortly."

"Are you going to bring Bulma?"

Vegeta glanced at Bulma then frowned. "No. It could be a trap."

"I agree. I don't like that they met Chichi."

"It would be smart to stay by her side. Don't leave. I'm on my way." Vegeta turned off his scouter and looked around for his pants.

Bulma crossed her arms and nodded her head towards the other side of the room. "Your pants are on the chair. What's going on?"

"Nothing that concerns you at the moment." Vegeta said as he grabbed his pants and started to put them on.

Bulma narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "You told Kakarot to 'stay by her side' and if you were talking about Chichi then it very well does concern me."

"Bulma-"

"-And you looked at me and said, 'no it could be a trap' which causes me to believe that Kakarot asked if you were going to bring me along."

Vegeta pinched the bridge of his nose as he felt his good mood completely drain away. "Bulma sometimes that brain of yours is simply annoying."

"VEGETA! What is going on?"

Vegeta looked at her for a moment deciding what he should and shouldn't say.

Bulma stood up from the bed and raised her hand in a halting position. "Don't you dare do it Vegeta?"

"Do what?"

"Decide what I should and shouldn't know. Don't keep secrets from me. That's what gave us problems the first time. Especially if it has something to do with my planet."

"I didn't say it had anything to do with your planet."

Bulma smirked as he fell right into her trap. "And you didn't say 'no' either."

Vegeta angrily started to put on the rest of his armor after giving her the answer she was looking for.

"I'm waiting Vegeta."

"Fine." He said as he sat on the bed to put on his boots. "I will tell you but you must stay here until I return. Deal?"

She didn't want to say yes and was already trying to think of a way to follow him without him knowing but he was being honest with her so she thought she should at least try to be agreeable. "Deal."

"Alright. Moments ago Kakarot showed Chichi the restaurant he bought her-"

"He bought her a restaurant?!"

"Yes he-"

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because you would have told your harpy friend. You can't even keep your mouth shut while I tell you the information you want me to tell you!"

"Alright sorry. Continue."

"While he was showing it to her he was approached by 2 beings claiming to be Earthling survivors."

Bulma stared at him for a while then moved back to the bed and sat down. "There…there are other Earthlings on this planet?"

"Yes."

"Men or women?"

"Men."

"I want to see them."

"You will stay here."

"Vege-"

"It could be a trap. They could see you as a traitor and want you dead. I have dealt with more angry survivors than you have and I will be able to tell if there is a true threat. Now you will stay here and if I determine that they are not here for negative results then I will allow a proper visit. But you will never be alone with them. Is that understood?"

"I understand but never is pretty ridiculous."

"Woman I don't have time to argue with you. I will inform Turles to remain outside the quarters and protect you."

"Don't you mean to watch me?"

Vegeta chose to ignore that question and left out the balcony without another word. Bulma watched him go then started to bite her lip as her mind whirled with many scenarios. Could the humans want to hurt her? Would they be pleased of her relationship with Vegeta? If it is a trap does that mean that Chichi and her unborn child are in danger? Are there others? Do they really want to unite all of the Earthlings?

There were so many questions that only led to more questions. The only way for them to be answered would be to talk to them. With a frustrated sigh she went to find her own clothing. She couldn't leave the room, which irritated her, but she could at least fill her parents in on what was going on. The only problem with that was that it would lead to more questions…

Meanwhile

Vegeta was at the place in a matter of moments. He looked around the building and saw that there were plenty of aliens in the area. It was hard to tell if any of them were Earthlings. According to Bulma Earth had a variety of different colored beings. Which made it hard to separate them. There was no way to tell if some were waiting to ambush them. With the race being physically weak compared to Saiyans he wasn't worried.

He quickly landed and went inside and immediately saw the two aliens. One was short and bald and not in any way intimidating. The other was tall and had a scar on his face. For some reason he was hoping that they would be fat and gross looking and for a reason that he didn't feel like exploring he was disappointed.

Vegeta walked up to the Earthlings and he glanced at Kakarot, Chichi, and the Ox King who all respectfully bowed and raised an eyebrow when the aliens did not.

The smaller one realized what was going on and nudged the taller one to follow his lead and bow.

"Do you have a problem with showing respect to a royal?"

"No your majesty, we are just not used to bowing. This is our first time on Vegeta and in front of a royal. But we won't forget again."

"Make it a hobby."

The tall one stood up and inclined his head. "As you wish. My name is Yamcha your highness and this is my comrade, Krillian. I do not mean to sound so forward with you but will the Princess be joining us tonight?"

Vegeta looked at him suspiciously. "No she will not. Does that disappoint you?"

"Yes it does. She has become our beacon of hope and helped reunite us. We wish to follow her."

Kakarot blinked in surprise. "You see her as your leader?"

Krillian nodded his head. "We have no leader. We were only all made aware of each other's existence because she came out in the media. As we began to travel to Vegeta we started to meet more of our kind. I wouldn't be surprised if others have already arrived or are on their way."

Vegeta eyed Yamcha who seemed to be the higher authority between the two. "How many are in your group?"

"There are about 50. Mostly men with alien wives and half breed children. There are a few families that are full blooded humans."

"And how do you feel about your chosen leader being married to your enemy?"

"Our planet is gone. There isn't anything we can do about it."

"But you should hate us."

"I never said we were happy with you. But on our world countries and cities were overtaken all the time by neighboring countries. It's something that we must live with. And if the Princess can accept it then so can we."

There was something about his tale that didn't seem complete. "You don't see her as a traitor?"

"No. Like we said, without her presence we wouldn't have had any hope of finding the rest of our kind. And it's comforting to know that one of our own is to be the Queen of the universe."

Kakarot scratched the back of his head at that. "Queen Cellena won't like that."

"Quiet Kakarot. Yamcha, you said that there are more of you and that you were sent ahead. What information will you tell your people?"

Yamcha squared his shoulders and looked at him sternly. "We would like to speak to the Princess first."

Vegeta was preparing to blast Yamcha's head off at any sign of danger towards his wife. "Why must you speak with her so badly?"

"Although it appears that Chichi is not in danger and is content in having a life with Kakarot-"

"The very one who destroyed your world." Vegeta said smirking trying to bait Yamcha into showing any bad intentions.

Yamcha only looked to Chichi and back to Vegeta. "She said in an interview that Kakarot was only a child. I do not believe he is to blame for his actions."

"And who is? My father?"

Krillian sucked in his breath and worried about his friend. If the wrong words escaped his mouth than it would be treason and his life would end immediately.

Yamcha only smiled and respectively bowed his head. "Like I said, that kind of thing happened on Earth. What's done is done. We have no resentment towards the throne and we only wish to be united under the authority of our Princess."

Vegeta frowned hoping that he could end Scarface's life. He really didn't like him. "But why must you meet your 'princess' before you speak to your people?"

"Because we do not know for sure if this is a ploy from the royal house in order to keep aliens at peace with the Empire. We want to know if it is indeed safe for us all to live here as she and Chichi has."

Vegeta eyed Yamcha longer than nodded. "Alright. You have my permission." A look of hope spread across Yamcha's face but quickly left as Vegeta continued. "Krillian may meet with my wife. You are to go nowhere near her."

Yamcha frowned. "May I ask why?"

"You may but I do not owe you an answer so you will not have one. Kakarot will give Krilian the proper information when the time is appropriate."

"I have his scouter number." Kakarot chimed in.

"Good. Now you Earthlings are dismissed. And don't forget to bow this time."

Yamcha and Krillian both bowed and then walked out of the restaurant.

Once they were gone Chichi turned to Vegeta. "Why did you allow Krillian to meet with Bulma but not Yamcha?"

"Because he was the weak one. If there is foul play he will be least likely to carry out the plan."

Kakarot crossed his arms and frowned. "I want to think that they are harmless. I mean-"

Vegeta raised a hand to halt him. "Stop Kakarot. Your emotions were always too high when it came to your first purge. If your own wife had resentment towards you for your past actions then these fools do as well. They are planning something. There is no doubt about it."

The Ox King nodded his head. "I agree. Sometimes it's still hard. There's a definitely another plan. But why would you have Krillian meet with Bulma at all if there is danger?"

Vegeta snorted at that. "You don't know Bulma."

Chichi laughed at that. "Yes she would find a way to communicate with them somehow. It's better this way."

"Kakarot we will set something up at the palace where there will be no other aliens allowed in the property. Krillian will be checked and re-checked before talking to Bulma. Set this up and have it ready by the time school is out tomorrow."

"Will do."

After that Vegeta left and went back home and was not surprised to find Bulma pacing their bedroom like a mad woman.

"It's about time you got back. What took so long?"

"Woman hardly any time has passed at all. You are simply impatient."

"Well what happened?"

Vegeta thought about withholding some information but knew that would be pointless with the Harpy's presence. Chichi would no doubt tell her every detail and then Bulma would come back to him angry. So with a sigh he told her the entire contents of the meeting. When he was finished she was completely silent.

"All that and you have nothing to say?"

Bulma blinked in surprise. "They see me as their leader?"

"Yes I have already told you this."

"And I'm meeting with them tomorrow?"

"With Krillian."

"Right because you got bad vibes from Yamcha."

"I don't trust him."

"What do they look like?"

Vegeta immediately became annoyed. "What do you care what they look like?"

"Vegeta the only Earthlings I have seen are my parents, Chichi and her father. I'm just curious."

"Krillian is bald and short and Yamcha is stall with a scarred face."

"Oh. I see." She then began to get excited and ran to her closet. "I have no idea what to wear! I mean I want have on Earthling clothing if I'm going to see my own people-"

"You're only seeing one of them."

Bulma stuck her head out the closet at that. "Why do you keep bringing that up? Is there another reason why you don't want me to meet the other one?"

Vegeta shrugged his shoulders. "I told you all that happened."

Bulma looked at him once more then shrugged her own shoulders. "Whatever. I'm still glad to meet Krillian. I just hope I leave a good impression and live up to his expectations. Oh wow, my own subjects."

Vegeta rolled his eyes and went to his bed. "That ego of yours is about to get worse."

Bulma stepped out of the closet wearing a baby blue sundress. "Well then I'll be close to yours. How do I look?"

Vegeta always liked it when she wore her dresses. There was something sweet about it that made her seem more feminine which called upon his masculine side even the more. "Come closer, the lighting in this room isn't what it used to be."

Bulma giggled and took a few steps closer.

Vegeta held up his finger and did a 'come hither' motion. Bulma took a few more steps and he did it once more. She finally got to the edge of the bed and then he pulled her down and pinned her beneath him.

"Now that's better."

"So how do I look?"

"You look decent. But you could use a mark or two." He said as he descended upon her neck.

"No!" Bulma laughed. "Vegeta don't! I have to meet with my subject tomorrow!"

"I told you that you would not escape me Woman."

She giggled again then touched his face to get his attention. "I'll never want to escape you." He kissed her then in total and complete agreement.

Meanwhile….

Queen Cellena ran her fingers through her hair as she awaited Nappa's so called 'urgent report'. When he finally came into her study she was ready to blast him. "How dare you make me wait this long? Have you forgotten that my time is more valuable than your head?"

Nappa bowed respectfully. "I apologize my Queen, but I was sure that you would want to hear this news and I had to be sure that my Intel was correct."

"Well spit it out!"

"Your majesty, two Earthling males have come to Vegeta to seek out Bulma. She is to meet with one of them tomorrow."

"That is interesting. Why only one and not the other. Is he the leader?"

"I am not sure. I only know that Kakarot has ordered a special room to be empty in the palace and that an alien is to be checked and given new clothes once he arrives to be sure that he's not a threat. I had just learned that part. But I started my investigation as soon as the commander at the docks informed me that two aliens identifying themselves as Earthlings were let into the planet."

Queen Cellena tapped her arm as she thought about her next move. "When does Bulma meet with the Earthling?"

"After school tomorrow."

"Good I want to meet with both Earthlings before then. Find them and bring them both to my office."

"Yes your highness."

Nappa left leaving the Queen to her thoughts. "This just might be the opportunity I've been waiting for."

The next morning at breakfast Bulma was only nibbling on her food as her nervousness was starting to kick in. Vegeta noticed but chose to ignore her.

The Queen looked at her odd behavior and figured it was due to the Earthlings. She didn't want to appear messy and get into trouble with her husband like in the past so she decided a different approach. The King like her son seemed occupied in their meal but she knew that both of them were aware of everything.

"So Nappa informed me that more of your kind arrived on the planet last night."

The King lifted an eyebrow at that and looked to Bulma. She nodded. "Yes that's true."

The King took another bite of his food and said, "Have you met with them?"

"I did." Vegeta said. "I had to be sure that they were not a threat to Bulma."

"And you didn't think it was important to inform me?" The Queen asked.

"No."

"Vegeta I am over the media. What if the meeting would have gone badly, there would have been a lot of last minute clean up that I would have had to do?"

"Your mother is right. Your temper is like mine. And the last thing we need is for more aliens to rebel against us."

Vegeta never liked being scolded by his parents. "Nothing happened. It is all being taken care of."

The Queen took advantage of this opportunity and added, "Even so I would like to meet with the Earthlings and get a good grasp on their intentions."

"That is not necessary." Vegeta seethed.

The King wiped his mouth with a nearby cloth and assessed the situation. "Let your mother do her job. There is a possibility that your judgment could be clouded."

"That is preposterous!"

"You are in favor of Bulma and your mother is not. You have already interviewed the two aliens so let your mother do so as well. If you both come to the same conclusions then clearly you two can work without biased opinions."

"And if we don't come to the same conclusions?"

"There is only one conclusion you need to agree on and that is whether or not these two Earthlings are a threat. I expect both of you to be on the same page and give me the answer."

"Very well. Come along Bulma." Vegeta said none too pleased. They both bowed then walked out of the hall.

As soon as they were alone Vegeta let out his fury. "The nerve of that Woman. She is the one who is planning something!"

Bulma had to almost run to keep up with Vegeta's pace. "Vegeta calm down."

"I will do no such thing! Did you see how she just played me in front of my father? Cloudy judgment? HA!"

"Vegeta they could have a point."

Vegeta whirled on her then and she almost lost balance but caught herself.

"Excuse me?"

"Vegeta you will only let me see one of them and-"

"That's because I don't trust the other one!"

"Ok well maybe there's a reason for that or maybe there's not. What's wrong with being 100 percent sure?"

Vegeta shook his head and grabbed her arm and headed towards the first window he saw. "Unbelievable."

Bulma squinted at his harsh hold and was about to protest but he scooped her up and flew out the window at a ridiculous speed.

"Vegeta slow down!" She said only able to bare the ride with her head buried in his neck to avoid the wind.

"I cannot believe you are siding with them. You are supposed to side with me."

"Well maybe I would if you would have let me come with you to meet them last night. But it's hard to form an opinion because I wasn't there!"

"That's right you weren't. So you should just trust my judgment!"

"I didn't say that I didn't I'm just saying that your parents could be right."

"Whatever."

They arrived at school quickly and Bulma could tell that Vegeta was going to be in a foul mood for the rest of the day…

Outside the palace…

Krillian looked back to the hulking Saiyan and then to Yamcha. "This is bad bro."

"No this is good."

"Dude this is bad."

"Just be quiet."

Nappa led them to a room and told them to take off their clothes and shower. Krillian was about to protest but Yamcha stopped him.

They went into a locker room type area and there were showers lined against the wall. Once they realized they were alone Krillian looked at Yamcha worried.

"Do you think they are going to kill us?"

"I don't think they would tell us to shower if they were. They obviously see us as a threat and wants us to not go forward with anything that we came in with. Our clothes are probably gone and new clothing is waiting for us."

Once they were done Yamcha's words rang true as a new set of basic Saiyan spandex was waiting for them.

Krillian looked at him puzzled. "How did you know?"

"This isn't the first time that I've done this."

Krillian didn't need to pry anymore. They were both survivors. There was no telling what Yamcha had to do in order to get where he was today. Krillian had it kind of easy compared to most. He found refuge in hidden caves on Earth among some of his former monk teachers. Once the Saiyans started coming to Earth he was able to work for one as a willing servant and eventually was allowed to leave with him off the planet. He then got passed along from master to master then make enough money to buy his freedom. Most weren't so lucky.

Once they were dressed Nappa appeared before them again. "Let's go." They followed him into what they knew to be the throne room and saw the Queen siting upon the throne. They bowed to her and didn't budge until she told them to rise.

She looked them over quickly and her eyes went to Krillian. "Let me guess, you are the one that my son deemed worthy to meet with Bulma later on?"

Krillian nervously nodded his head. "Yes."

Queen Cellena chuckled and looked to Yamcha. "Then I wish to speak with you."

Krillian and Yamcha looked surprised. But Krillian bowed and left out. The Queen then dismissed all the other Saiyans in the room only leaving the two of them. She stepped down from her throne and walked around Yamcha observing him. Once she circled around him twice she stopped in front of him. "The only threat you present is to my son."

"I'm sorry?"

"Tell me why you are here?"

"I want to meet with the Princess-"

"Bulma is her name. She has no proper title."

Yamcha cleared his throat. He had heard about the friction between Bulma and the Queen so he had to choose his words wisely. "I wish to follow her. It is my dream as well as other Earthlings that Bulma becomes Queen."

Cellena raised a furious eyebrow then calmed herself down. "Why do you want that?"

"For our people to have lost so much it would be a great healing to see her progress."

The Queen smirked as she read into his facial expressions. "Come now there is more to your tale. I do believe you are indeed telling the truth but also that there is more. But I understand the fear of treason. So I will say what I believe it is your people's true desire. You wish to see Bulma on the throne so that you can carry out your own wishes whatever they may be. And it could even be something as harmless as having a new planet, but I'm assuming that there is more. Perhaps to stop purging all together?"

Yamcha flinched at her last statement and the Queen chuckled. "Haha do not fret Yamcha. I said it not you. But what if I can give you half of what your people want and maybe something even more for you?"

"What do you mean?"

"I told you earlier that you were a threat to my son but it has little to do with your mission and more to do with your physical appearance."

"What?"

"Come now, you know that you are an attractive male. An attractive male from the same species as Bulma. My son doesn't want you near his prize because he sees you as a possible competition."

Yamcha was more than surprised. Surely he and every male alien had thought of what it might be like to have the Alien Princess for themselves but it was just a wild fantasy. There couldn't have possibly be a truth to that. "Are you saying that it's possible that Bulma would…no but she is married to the Prince."

"Only by your Earthling custom. Not by Saiyan standards. She is only seen as his mistress, a common whore to most Saiyans actually."

Yamcha was insulted. "Are you serious?"

"I don't lie. Manipulate and deceive perhaps but I never lie. Now I am sure that the Earthling form of mating is not as binding?"

"It's possible for her to divorce him. If that happens then she will no longer be married to him but-"

"But nothing. The truth is Yamcha that the Saiyan people would never accept Bulma as their Queen. I will admit that my son is obsessed with her for the moment, but I know my son and when he gets bored of things he tosses them away."

"Are you saying that he will do that to Bulma?"

"It's only a matter of time. Notice that they only joined according to your customs and not by his. A Saiyan bond is forever and cannot be broken. Earthling marriage however compared to Saiyan customs appears to be much weaker."

"It's strong if the two truly care for each other."

"Oh. Well then I'm really not sure how much longer my son's phase will last. But anyways, I'm afraid that your mission is for naught. But I may be of some help to you and your people."

"How so?"

"If you can convince Bulma to leave with you, sweep her off her feet, then I can give your people another planet-"

"You mean one that was purged and taken from someone else?" He almost sneered.

The Queen didn't like his tone. "Beggars cannot be choosers." She seethed. "Now take her and I will give you a home."

"What's in it for you?"

"My son's obsession goes away and he focuses on more important things."

Yamcha ran his hands through his hair. This conversation wasn't at all what he was expecting. "Why are you so sure that I can do what you ask?"

The Queen laughed with satisfaction. "Because my son already believes you have what it takes to take her away."

"I don't-"

"Silence! I do not have to further explain myself to you nor do I wish to. Now, do we have a deal?"

"Yes. But I am not going to see Bulma. Krillian is."

"Vegeta is not the only that can arrange things. She will meet with you after she meets with Krillian. Do not worry. I will take care of everything…"

Later…

The Moment had come. Bulma was waiting in a conference room for Krillian to come in to speak with her. The large white room held only two chairs for her and her coming guest. The only other feature in the room was the long mirror on the side that Bulma had no doubt was double sided. She sighed and wished that she could have a private conversation but Vegeta told her that was out of the question and she had to convince Krillian that they were indeed alone.

At that moment Krillian came to the door and Bulma greeted him warmly with a smile and a handshake. "Hello I'm Bulma Briefs."

"Krillian."

"You don't have a last name?"

"I don't remember it."

Bulma paused at that then smiled sympathetically at him. "I'm sorry please sit down."

Krillian looked around the room and then blushed as he sat down across from her. "You are prettier in person."

"Thank you. It's so nice to speak with you."

"Can you speak any languages from Earth?"

Bulma was about to say 'yes' but remembered that Vegeta was listening. "Um I'm actually a bit rusty. I've been speaking Saiyan for so long, but it's just nice to see another Earthling."

Behind the mirror Vegeta, Raditz and Turles stood watching and listening to the exchange. Turles clucked his tongue at Bulma's last response.

"That was a pretty good move to change the topic to keep them speaking Saiyan."

Raditz smirked. "Bulma is pretty good at deceiving."

Vegeta glared at both of them. "Quiet before we miss something important."

Inside the room…

Krillian looked around for any devices but he saw none. Yamcha told him to be extremely careful when talking to the Princess. If what he says gets to the wrong ears then it would be treason.

"What are you looking for?" Bulma asked.

Krillian became nervous and brought his attention back to Bulma. "I'm sorry, it's just….can I speak freely? I don't know how much time the Saiyans will give me but I really need to tell you some things…and I don't want-I mean I fear that-…..well what I'm trying to say is-"

"Hey listen," Bulma said as she grasped his hands. "You can trust me. I won't let anyone harm you. I heard that you and your friend thought I might be here against my own will and that is not true at all. I love Vegeta and he loves me. He fell in love with me knowing that I'm an Earthling. What you had to go through today was merely for my protection because of how much he cares for me. So believe me when I tell you that you can to talk to me."

Krillian looked like he was unsure but then he sighed in defeat and nodded his head. "Alright we traveled specifically to see if your relationship with the Prince was actually real."

"Of course it is."

"Yes but we didn't know if that was true or if this was some kind of publicity stunt to appease the aliens."

"And now that you know that it's true?"

"Then we can truly hope. Bulma what happened to our planet should never happen again. If you become Queen we hope that you can change things. Change the mind of your husband and stop all this senseless killing."

Bulma drew back from Krillian. To hear her own plans come out of the lips of another, especially a fellow survivor, was surreal. "I see." She glanced at the mirror then looked back to Krillian. She knew that the Saiyans behind that mirror were practically grinding their teeth in anticipation of her next chosen words. "Krillian you must stop what you're saying because it is treason to go against the Empire's ways. I cannot promise you what the future will look like, but you must trust me as a fellow survivor that I would do anything I could to help. I hope that answer can bring you some comfort."

Krillian rubbed the back of his head with unease. "I honestly am not sure what to tell the others. It's like you'll help us but at the same time you won't."

"You guys have to trust me that I am one of you and that I will help you in the ways that won't go against the Empire."

Krillian was saddened by that. "The others won't like that answer."

"I'm sorry to hear that. Listen, you have to tell the others that I do care about our people but they must follow Saiyan law. We do not need to risk the lives of the few people we have left."

Krillian nodded his head and stood up. "Thank you for meeting with me. I am glad that one of us made it to the top."

Bulma only smiled at him and said, "I hope you find peace."

"Believe it or not I did find a little of it today. Farewell." He bowed to her then left out the room to be escorted away."

Bulma gave out a sigh of relief and relaxed in her chair until Vegeta came into the room. "Follow me Woman."

Bulma did so and noticed that Raditz and Turles were nowhere in sight which probably meant that he told them to give them some privacy. There was only two places where she and Vegeta could have that perfect privacy, which was their bedroom and the gravity room. Since they were closer to the gravity room she was not surprised to find herself there. Once the door was shut Vegeta whirled on her.

"That is exactly the kind of nonsense you don't need!"

"Hey don't look me! I didn't give them the idea."

"And yet you and your entire race are on the same page."

"Vegeta I understand you're upset but honestly I think a lot of aliens feel the same way."

"Stop. There will be no more talk of that. If word gets out to my father that these idiots are plotting against him and they are making you the poster child of their rebellion then you are in serious trouble."

"But I didn't say anything to him."

"And you are going to keep it that way."

"Fine. You're not going to hurt him are you?"

"He is betraying the Saiyan Empire."

"Vegeta I said the same thing to you earlier today."

"And you have already been warned."

"Vegeta I told him that he wouldn't be harmed."

"Your promise not mine. Shouldn't proclaim things you can't fulfil."

"Vegeta you can't be serious?"

"Couldn't be more. But don't worry, he will not be harmed at the moment. Simply followed to see how deep this really goes and also if there is something else they aren't telling us."

"Vegeta there were billions on my planet…please don't harm the few that's left."

"I will do what I can."

Bulma wasn't completely satisfied with that answer but she would take it for now. "Alright. I'm going to go back to our room and update my parents."

"I'll stay here. I have some training to catch up on."

She gave him a kiss goodbye that he gave back quite possessively. She had raised a curious eyebrow at him and he only shrugged his shoulders. On the way back to their quarters she felt uneasy. There were so many things going on at once and she had a hard time trying to find her balance. On one hand she was glad to meet some Earthlings on the other she was so worried that they were going to get themselves killed that she had almost wished they never showed up at all. The King had expressed on multiple occasions that he didn't trust aliens. He probably had his own set of spies following them. She snorted at the idea of someone snooping around her and Vegeta.

She opened the door to their bedroom and jumped back startled as she found the Queen in the middle of the room. "You're Majesty, what are you doing here?"

"My dear Bulma I have a surprise for you."

Bulma blinked at her confusing choice of words…."Dear Bulma?"

Cellena chuckled a bit. "Oh we have to start getting along eventually. Come follow me, I have a surprise for you." She said as she walked past her and to the door. The Queen halted as she saw Bulma hadn't moved.

"I don't know, perhaps I should wait for Vegeta."

"If you don't come now, you will miss your chance. Trust me, this isn't something you would want to pass up."

"I still think I should wait for Vegeta. We don't keep secrets from each other."

Cellena rolled her eyes. "Honestly Bulma I am not going to harm a single hair on your head. And Vegeta will find out momentarily. You just need to come first."

"I still would like to wait."

"Stubborn. Fine I was going to surprise you but I have arranged a meeting with an Earthling."

"I already met with Krillian."

"But you didn't meet with Yamcha."

Bulma blinked at her and was now very intrigued but she was still cautious. "Why did you do this?"

"Consider it a gift. I have not treated you in a welcoming manner so I am trying to do what is best for my son and for you."

"I don't know…"

"Look there is a reason why Vegeta didn't want you to meet Yamcha and it has nothing to do with an actual danger and everything to do with Vegeta's own jealousy."

"Jealousy?"

"Yes this Earthling is attractive. And coming from a Saiyan woman that means a lot."

"You're saying Vegeta is jealous of this guy? An alien?"

Cellena was starting to think that all Earthlings were ignorant. "Yes. Do not pretend like you have never experienced Vegeta's jealousy. That is one of Vegeta's greatest flaws."

Bulma knew that there was truth to her words and she didn't want to go against Vegeta's words, but this could be her only chance to meet the other alien. Her curiosity won over and she nodded to the Queen.

She followed the Queen triumphantly down to the meditating garden. The Queen waited at the entrance and pointed Bulma in the direction of a tall man leaning against a tree wearing Saiyan spandex. From behind he looked Saiyan except with no tail.

When she was halfway he finally turned around and she blinked at him as he gasped at her.

"You are even more gorgeous in person."

"Thank you. You aren't too bad yourself." She sad blushing then immediately wished she hadn't have said that. "Sorry, that was inappropriate of me. Let's start over. Hi, I'm Bulma." She said extending her hand.

Yamcha looked at her hand, bowed down to one knee and kissed her hand gently on the back. "My Princess."

Bulma blushed once more and quickly took her hand away. "Please don't do such things. My husband would kill you if he saw such a thing."

Yamcha stood up and smiled at her. "I'm sorry. I didn't intend to make you uncomfortable Princess-"

"You can call me Bulma."

"Bulma, forgive me, but I don't know how much time I have so, may I ask you something?"

"Yes."

Yamcha took a step forward closer to her. "Are you happy here?"

Bulma wasn't expecting that. "I'm very happy. I love Vegeta."

"Does he intend to marry you according to Saiyan law?"

"Eventually yes he is, but it's all about choosing the right time." Bulma said trying to convince him.

"With a gorgeous girl like you the only reasonable time is right now. Any other time is too long of a wait."

Bulma couldn't help but blush and turn her head to the side which caused a loose strand of hair to fall down her cheek. Yamcha hesitated but then slowly brought his hand up and brushed the stray hair back behind her ear.

Bulma was about to step away from him but she ended up screaming as her fellow survivor was slammed into a nearby tree. Her husband had his hand around his throat and she couldn't tell whose face was redder; Yamcha's from the lack of oxygen or Vegeta's from the amount of anger.

"The only reason why I haven't already ripped your heart out and eaten it in front of your desired is because I have decided to kill you slowly and painfully. But being the reasonable adversary that I am I will give you a choice; burning or fileting. Either one is quite enjoyable…for me."

Author's Note: I cannot tell you how pleased I am from all the support I have gotten to continue this story with my insanely busy life. But next chapter will be out sooner (fingers crossed) and there will be an introduction to a new adversary. Please Review!