Better late than never. I guess. Nancy, thank you for your dedicated support.
Chapter 18 - Shooting Day - Part 1
Vegeta took a sip of his coffee and resumed his contemplation of the restless ocean stretching as far as the eye could see. He was standing on the terrace of the house looking down the shore. Up there, the ocean breeze was hardly enough to tame the heat of the bright sun shining in the sky. He truly enjoyed the sight.
The Saiyan land was nothing like this. The whole country was bordered by chains of steep mountains and the only water you could find there was Pickle, a large river running through Vegitasei and fraying into countless brooks. Anyone hoping to have a glance at the see had to go past the Mountains. North or West, you would land into the Ice-Jinn Empire and you would still need to travel north a day or two before finding the Ice Ocean. It was an endless pool stuck in ice most of the time - Really nothing like a free and wild ocean. South and East, you could reach the Paranga See beyond the Namekian's land. The Namekians were rather primitive people. Their lives in the mountains were harsh. The soil there was so reluctant to produce anything that the Saiyans had never bothered trying to conquer their territories. Paranga See had been named after a Namekian legendary demon and it matched fairly its rocky shore harassed by constant nagging winds. Vegeta wasn't even sure if anyone took the risk to sail in there. Either way, there was no point in doing so with no proper harbor to reach and no business to make in this wild area. Thus, Vegeta had never enjoyed the sight of a real see before he exiled from his native land which happened quite late in his life, and although he felt no sailor's soul whatsoever, he liked this indomitable side of nature.
He peered at his watch. It was almost ten already. The House was quiet and he suspected that the Heiress and her baseball player wouldn't get up before lunch. The Saiyan had stayed in his room the whole night and he couldn't say at what time they ended up going to sleep but in the morning he'd stumbled across a bunch of empty bottles in the dining room hinting that they'd spent most of their evening drinking there. Furthermore, when Vera came to clean the mess she had brought a single breakfast for Vegeta "according to Mrs Smith's instructions". So, it was pretty obvious that Bulma hadn't planned to be awake early enough for breakfast.
Up from the terrace where Vegeta stood a set of steps ran down through the rocks and to the beach meters below. Who would blame him for a little walk there?
He rested his cup on the guardrail and walked down the stony stairs. He needed at least ten minutes to reach the sandy ground bordering the sea. The beach wasn't very large but it was very long forming a path along the ocean up to other cottages standing at the shore. As much as he could see the beach kept running to the town which might represent a good hour of walk. He headed that direction without a second thought.
After five minutes he was sweating under the sly warmth of the sun and cursing about the sand sneaking up into his shoes. He rolled up the sleeves of his shirt. The white neat garment had turned into a crumpled damp mess already and he gave up struggling the particles of sand dusting his leather shoes. While walking further he kept gazing at the high rocks towering the beach. The settings were definitely perfect for Goku. The view was clear and the rocks were ideal hideouts. Even the bright light of the sun and the deep blue sky would help snatch amazing pictures.
Vegeta didn't need to make his way very far before he detected a move among the rocks. As he came closer he wasn't surprised to make out Goku's figure in the stony landscape. The Saiyan climbed up to him.
"Vegeta, nice from you to come and visit me. Are you on a break?" Goku greeted him.
"Sort of," Vegeta panted as he joined his coworker, "they're still asleep and I don't think they will wake up before lunch."
The taller reporter had settled his stuff in a recess carved in a boulder. His spot allowed him a rather comfortable sit. "So? How is it going? I had Lunch on the phone yesterday night. Still good so far?" he asked.
"So far," Vegeta grunted. He'd grabbed the camera Goku had brought with him and was studying with an expert's eye the device his teammate had picked up.
Goku had his hand shielding his eyes from the dazzling sun as he was watching the amazing sight the ocean and the beach were offering. "They can't miss a little walk on the beach hand in hand, can they?" he wondered thoughtfully.
"I'd say they'd do that, but Bulma Briefs is something unpredictable," Vegeta stated.
Goku turned to him with a stern face. "Well, make her predictable then. We're almost done, Veg. Keep in mind how much Pilaf will pay for those pictures. Especially with the pictures I took of Yamcha on top of it. "
Vegeta frowned. "Don't you think I don't know that already? I'm the one bearing with this berserk 24 hours a day," he spat. "Still…"
Goku cocked his head in wariness. "Still, what?"
Vegeta sighed and rested Goku's camera back into the recess. "I discovered something strange yesterday," he resumed.
Goku leaned forward to listen to him more carefully. For some reasons, Vegeta had a second thought about telling him about the hospital. He wasn't quite sure if this could be relevant to their job.
"We went to the hospital. She visited someone there and it happened to be her personal assistant," he explained with an hesitant voice.
"Well. It makes sense. Giada told us the Capsule hired a bunch of temporary secretaries to replace Briefs' personal secretary because she was sick," Goku shrugged.
"She's not sick. She's in coma due to her being shot instead of the Heiress," Vegeta added.
Goku pursed his lips and kept quiet for a while, mulling over this new fact. "You mean there had been a first attempt on Briefs' life before someone tried to shoot Yamcha and her?"
Vegeta nodded.
"Odd we never heard of that before but what does it change?" Goku asked after a while.
Vegeta felt awkward at the question. He thrust his hands in his pocket and drifted his eyes to the see. "I don't know. It's weird, don't you think? Someone clearly signed a contract on Briefs' head after all and I wonder why. She's only a business woman with a scientist's brain."
"I assume money can be a very good reason to want her dead. It's very likely that all this crap is about business," Goku suggested.
Vegeta shrugged, his eyes still on the restless waves. "Maybe. Pilaf said her business was clean though. I don't know much about business but I know a lot about killers and I can't help but think that this is nothing near business men's methods."
"What do you have in mind then?" Goku asked with puzzlement.
Vegeta turned to him and contemplated his questioning face. "I don't know," he repeated, "Maybe there's something lying behind that matter. I mean something more interesting than her lame romance with the baseball player."
Goku stood up and patted his shoulders with a mischievous smile. "Are you having a fit of qualms? I hope you're not having a thing for her. You know how unprofessional it would be, don't you?"
Vegeta slapped his friendly hand away. "Don't start talking nonsense. You speak like Lunch sometimes," he barked. "We're ahead of schedule for Pilaf's assignment, so I was wondering if we could dig up something more serious than - Huh, drop it."
Goku chuckled and sat back on his stoned seat. "You're on edge, man. Don't worry, it will be over soon. If we make it today, you can resign by tomorrow. Then the Heiress can deal on her own with the mysterious killer. She has much better means than a single Saiyan to do it, believe me."
Vegeta considered the taller reporter sitting casually and enjoying the sun with his can of coffee and magazines. Goku was more than confident, the cheer in his voice could vouch for that. Maybe he was right after all. The pictures would earn them a pretty pack of dough. Why bother further?
"Whatever. I have to go," Vegeta stated. "I'll make my best to suggest them a nice walk in that direction."
Goku waved at him and grabbed a magazine as the Saiyan climbed down back to the beach. Vegeta stumbled across the uneven ground and cursed as he reached the sand. The damn shoes didn't fit the least to walk there. By the time he was back to the terrace, he was soaked with sweat and he could feel salt and sand stuck on his skin.
He went straight to his room and took a shower. When he was done and back in the living room he found Yamcha sitting on the sofa and watching TV. The baseball player turned to him and gave him a smile while switching the Tv on mute. "Hey, Vegeta. How are you doing?"
The Saiyan stood in front of the couch and thrust his hand in his pocket. "Fine. Is she up?"
"She'll be here in a minute," Yamcha replied. "Could you - Can I ask you your opinion about something?"
His voice sounded hesitant and Vegeta felt he was about to confess something personal. Deep down his mind, the Saiyan had no will to know what it was about. Yet, it could be something useful for the job, so he did his best not to frown and just sat next to him. "Of course. If I can be of any help."
Yamcha was toying nervously with the remote control and he needed a moment before he brought himself to speak. "I - I don't know much about Bulma. I mean, we're dating and having a serious relationship but - being her body guard, you know how secretive she is and she still keeps me apart from a large side of her life. It bothers me."
As he was remembering the pictures Goku had snapped of Yamcha and another girl just two days ago, Vegeta felt like replying that Yamcha was also keeping her apart from a side of his life. Instead of that he gave a stern nod to show he understood him.
Yamcha blinked and resumed. "She told me that we couldn't go public unless we were willing to make things official. That is marrying."
Vegeta couldn't help but to raise his eyebrows in astonishment. "Do you intend to propose her?"
Yamcha bit his lips and looked down in embarrassment. "Maybe. I was wondering. What would you do in my place? What do you think of it?"
The Saiyan gaped. Damn, he hadn't figured that out. He assumed that the single fact that Yamcha needed reassurance about his project was a proof that it was a bad idea, but Vegeta had to admit that he didn't know much about engagement. He'd been engaged once when he was about 15. He'd never talked to his fiancée, one of Freezer's distant cousin, and his betrothal's day had ended in blood as it had been the day he'd turned against the Ice Family. Vegeta was aware it was nothing near a normal wedding's project and it couldn't count as a serious experience in that matter.
"Do you think she would accept my offer?" Yamcha insisted as Vegeta was still musing about the best answer.
The Saiyan shrugged. "I don't know her that much. I can't say."
Yamcha had a sheepish smile and sighed. "I'll give it a try. I no longer bear with this hectic life."
Vegeta studied his thoughtful face for a while. He wondered if the baseball player was ogling on the Heiress' fortune. After all, he was in big need for money. However, in that case, why not just propose her instead of having a second thought and asking Vegeta?
"You should take her for a walk on the beach," the Saiyan resumed.
Yamcha looked up at him with questioning eyes. Vegeta smirked. "She'll like it. I went down there. It's a romantic place. Maybe you'll find your answer there."
The baseball player gave him a grateful peer. "You're right. It's exactly the kind of thing she'll appreciate."
"Just take care to head for the town. It's safer that way, I checked it out."
Yamcha frowned as Vegeta's suggestion sounded like a reminder of a sniper possibly lurking around. "Safe? You think someone could try to attack us on that beach?"
Of course. Vegeta was tempted to tell him there was no better place to hide for a sniper than the rocky beach but he smiled instead. "That's why I'm here. Don't worry. It will be all right."
Yamcha nodded but the Saiyan could still see a glimpse of fear in his eyes.
"Morning guys," the Heiress interrupted them as she entered the living room. She froze and watched them for a moment. "Are you plotting something behind my back?"
"Of course not," Yamcha claimed with a professional liar's voice, "The cook is fixing lunch for now, so why not have a little walk on the beach by the time he's done?"
Bulma's features eased at the offer and delight shone through her face. "What a nice romantic idea," she murmured by cupping Yamcha's face between her palms and peeking his lips.
Vegeta stood up and walked out on the terrace, unwilling to witness more of their intimacy. Everything was working out very well, he thought to himself. Yet, for some reasons something in his mind told him otherwise.
"Mr Ouji, we won't need you for that," Bulma's voice stated behind his back.
He frowned and peeked at her over his shoulder. "I'll stay at a reasonable distance Ms Briefs," he replied by containing his annoyance.
She was now standing in the door frame with a scowl upon her face. "I told you it won't be necessary," she repeated.
"I told you I'll follow you from afar. These are Shienhan's orders," he insisted with a more demanding voice.
Yamcha showed up behind Bulma and wrapped his arms around her waist. "He's just doing his job, honey. I promise you'll forget about him in no time," he purred lovingly in her ear.
She looked up at him. "But -" He silenced her with a kiss and Vegeta knew the deal was done. The Saiyan was amazed at the way a smart woman like Bulma Briefs would let a total loser like Yamcha overcome her usual wariness. He was lying to her too and Vegeta wondered if she really believed his sweet words. The reason why she behaved so differently when he was around was beyond Vegeta but it gave him an odd taste of waste.
It was none of his business either way since, as Goku had reminded it, he would certainly resign by the next day. So, he contented himself with following them from afar as they climbed down the stony stairs down to the beach.
The sun was now high in the sky as it was nearly noon and the dazzling light was reflecting on the tireless waves of the ocean. The breeze was a blessing helping enduring the heat.
When he reached the sand, Vegeta considered the high rocks towering the beach and instinctively checked out his gun stuck in his belt. As a matter of fact, this place was perfect for a sniper's watch.
Just like he'd promised, the Saiyan remained far behind the lovers. He was trying his best not to pay attention to what they were doing. He decided Goku was the one in charge up from the moment Vegeta had them heading the right direction. The reporter was of course nowhere in sight but Vegeta could feel him around.
The Saiyan took a cigarette out of his pocket and fought the wind to light it properly. He stared at the see for a while. A ship was cruising in the distance. It was some sort of yachts certainly owned by some of the rich people living in the splendid houses along the shore. After a while, Vegeta realized he'd got lost in his thoughts and Bulma and Yamcha had moved on further on the long beach. As much as he could see, they were kissing and that meant Goku was having a feast on his table. Against all odds, Vegeta felt no glee at this prospect. Yet, he should because it was somehow his victory too. He'd tracked down the target, he'd trapped her and he caught her eventually. However, instead of pride, a slight disgust was nagging at his guts. Maybe it was time for him to move on. He would take the money and go to something else than this job.
Truth to be told, Vegeta had never considered it like a real job and he hadn't intended to accept Pilaf's offer after Frieza's fall. He'd caved in because of Kakarott, or Gokû since it was now his real name. Damn him. Vegeta had to admit he'd been fascinated by him from their first encounter. At first, he'd been hit by his unexpected look. There was little doubt to Vegeta that Goku was Saiyan. When he'd asked Goku back at the time they first met, Goku had laughed and denied such origin, telling he came from Mount Paozu but Vegeta knew better. He'd been the Prince of Vegitasei once and he was still able to recognize his people. A lot of families had sent their younger brats away at the time war broke out and Goku might have been one of them as his age fit the theory. Furthermore, Goku was Bardock's perfect lookalike. His strength, his frame and his face spoke volume. Beside this underlying brotherhood, Vegeta felt somehow familiar with Goku's spirit. Goku was a fighter and, although he sounded cheerful and kind, he couldn't bear with being defeated, no matter the battlefield. He never gave up. Vegeta didn't like him but he had realized that the dumbass was the thrill he needed to keep going on in this lame civilized city-life where everything was a piece of cake. It had been the main reason why Vegeta had accepted to work for the blue dwarf.
Another reason had been that Freeza's fall had left the former Prince facing a harsh reality. There was no more war going on. There was nothing left to fight for and there was no longer an army to welcome him. He still had to live further though and he could no longer ignore the fact that he had to find his place in this world by now.
As a matter of fact, his job at Snapshot had happened to be a rather nice middle way between his former and actual lives. It was a way to fit into the civil life all by nursing his nostalgia for his former life. His hunts had always been good opportunities to use his soldier's skills even if the job could hardly provide him the adrenaline of a battlefield. Or so he'd believed until that exact moment on the beach. Unease was twisting his guts as the lovers were unknowingly exposing themselves to Goku's eager shooting.
Vegeta was startled by a thrilling noise resounding in his pocket. He needed an instant to realize it was his phone ringing - the Capsule's phone. The Saiyan pulled it out and stared at it in disbelief. He'd never used it so far. He picked up the call and recognized Shienhan's voice on the go. "Where are you?"
Vegeta wiped the sweat beading on his forehead and sighed. "On the beach down the house. They wanted to go for a walk there before lunch. "
"Take them back inside," Shienhan's voice urged. "A suspicious guy had been reported lurking in the neighborhood. We have to check that out for now but I don't want to take any chance."
Vegeta's heart raced. Someone had spotted Goku's presence. Damn moron. "How serious is that?" Vegeta asked.
"Serious enough. Yamcha is planned to leave after lunch already in order to keep him safe. I can't join you right now but Chaozu will be there by the end of the afternoon to give you a hand watching the house. I'll pick her up in the night with a car," Shienhan explained.
Vegeta rubbed his eyelids in weariness. "Man, this is war. She won't like it," he stated.
Shienhan kept quiet at that. The saiyan considered all this like unnecessary mess and he was cursing Goku for being stupid enough to get caught. "I'll call her. Keep your eyes wide open," Shienhan resumed. Then he hung up with no further order.
Vegeta frowned and glared at the phone. He looked up at the couple, slowly heading back to him. He prayed that Goku had at least been successful at snapping serious photos because spending the whole afternoon locked up alone with the Heiress was a hell of an annoying prospect.
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