I am super sorry for the long wait for a new chapter! I did a lot of construction on the other chapters while working on this one. Thank you for your patience, and I hope you all enjoy this newest (and very overdue) chapter. Please review and let me know what you think!

Without Further Ado:

Chapter 20: You're Loveliness

Red colored Bulma's cheeks, Goku's face was so close to her own.

The initial shock of being manhandled left quickly when said man holding her, nuzzled her hair. So shocked by the behavior Bulma had recoiled, her face that had been pressed into his shoulder now inches from his. Charcoal eyes gleamed intensely, heating with emotions she had thought would only be pointed towards her in a fantasy.

"Goku," her voice was soft, almost pleading as it left her lips. Their faces grew closer, their eyes locked passionately.

Bulma's heart trembled in her chest, his heated breath tingling against her suddenly very dry lips. Licking her lips, his eyes fell to them, heatedly following the slick appendage right to left before it snaked back into her mouth. Her skin heated, burning where his strong arms held her, but it wasn't enough to just be held by him. Heat pooled and coiled into her abdomen, boiling there with an intensity that should have scared her, but she embraced it.

"Bulma," There was no running from the truth, she had come to terms with her feelings, but whatever doubt she may have had vanished at the intensity she felt for him at that moment.

"Bulma!"

"Bulma?" bright blue blinked rapidly as the memory faded from her vision to reveal a curious woman with raven hair and equally blue eyes. "Are you alright? You have drool on your chin," There was a teasing tone to her voice that had the young genius blushing.

The bluenette quickly wiped at the drool, slightly mortified she'd been caught daydreaming about one of the many almost kisses between Goku and her. They just kept getting interrupted!

Goku and Kagome had been staying with her for almost two weeks, and every time she and Goku were alone, on the verge of a kiss, they'd be interrupting. It was mostly by their friends and Gohan. The others always found their way to wherever Bulma and Goku were hidden.

And to top it off she still hadn't been able to tell him how she feels!

Kagome was the only one not to intentionally disturb them unless it was night, she apparently had horrible nightmares and feared to sleep alone, so Goku usually kept her company. And that was understandable; the girl was still in recovery from her ordeal, and on a new planet. Although it would be nice if Vegeta would grow a pair and comfort the woman he supposedly loves, but no, the two couldn't even be in the same room. The tension between them was unbearable!

"Sorry Kagome," Bulma flushed while Kagome simply smiled gently.

"It's alright, you didn't have to invite me to go shopping with you if there is something else you'd rather be doing,"

'Like your brother,' again blush rose to Bulma's face. The thought having almost come out much to her embarrassment. "Of course not! This is the perfect way for us to get to know each other and become friends," she beamed. And she honestly did want to be friends with the other woman, it had been a long time since she'd had a female friend.

"It's been a long time since I've had a friend," sadness clouded the face of the slightly older woman. Bulma's heart went out to her, she only knew a little of what the saiyan had experienced from Goku and what Vegeta had told her about Frieza. And as much as she wanted to ask, to offer her support, Bulma hesitated as they were still just getting to know each other.

"Well, I hope one day you can see me as one," Bulma offered with a gentle smile.

Kagome gave her a soft smile in return. 'I already do, I'm just scared. This is all new to me,'

"Alright I think we got everything we'll need for today," she gestured to their full hands and the gentlemen behind them with full arms. "With the company party with Taisho Corp. in two days, I'm glad we were able to find outfits for you and the guys,"

"Are you really sure it's alright for me to come?"

Bulma waved her off. "Of course, as a close friend and honored employee, you must come. Besides I'd be lonely without a fellow woman with all those old men," she ended with a joke.

Filling the hover-car with their purchases the girls got in with Bulma as the driver.

"Thank you, you've been so nice to me. I don't know how to repay you," Kagome whispered looking at her hands.

Again Bulma waved her off. "It's no big deal, even if you don't think of me as a friend yet I think of you as mine," she smiled widely before they took off like a bullet, music coming through the speakers.

For the drive back Kagome and Bulma joke and talk about random things, the two becoming comfortable friends.

Pulling up to the house, several robots rushed out and grabbed the bags and then rushed to put them in either girl's room. Mostly Kagome's as Bulma had very much enjoyed shopping for and dressing the girl. Making it into the house, their conversation stopped mid-sentence as Kagome came face to face with Vegeta.

Dark sapphire and onyx locked, emotions rushing forth in both their eyes but neither said anything. The tension that was being excreted by the two was so overwhelming that it made it hard to breathe. It was apparent they wanted one another, though neither of them seems willing to make that first step. Whatever the reason they merely stood there, longing present in their bodies as if they would spring towards the other if with a simple push.

"Hey, Bulma!" Goku greeted, rushing to the bluenette. His arms enveloping her in a hug as he kissed her forehead, nuzzling her hair as he did.

Heat rushed to Bulma's cheeks, a smile pulling at her lips as she hugged the large man. So far things between them had been limited to small, lingering touches. She didn't know what they were, but whatever that was she needed to know just as she needed to tell him how she felt. Looking up Bulma was gifted a warm smile, her heart quickening at the warmth held in his eyes. He kissed her forehead again, his lips lingering as she leaned into him before looking to Kagome.

"Hey, Kagome! I was hoping you and me could train,"

Startled from her staring contest, Kagome looked to Goku. "Well, I guess-"

"Great! We can train in the Gravity Chamber with Vegeta! Then we can-"

"No," Kagome rushed out, her eyes briefly switching to Vegeta, her eyes taking on a gloss shine. "Sorry Goku, but I don't think now is a good time. I'm pretty tired from shopping,"

"Come on! Please?" Goku pouted.

She went to open her mouth but instead someone else spoke.

"Kagome," he said her name with care, soft and pleading.

Startled Kagome turned to catch the Saiyan's wanton gaze, her whole body trembling.

"Kagome, I-"

"I'm going to bed," without letting him finish Kagome rushed out of the room, never seeing the pain that washed over Vegeta as he stared after her longingly.

It was silent for a long awkward moment before Bulma exploded.

"Go after her Vegeta!" Bulma fumed, breaking the awkward silence while Vegeta looked after the now gone saiyan woman. "Talk to her! Do something already!" She stressed, her eyes switching to Goku for assistance but he only shrugged.

"Hn," was her only response as Vegeta walked right past her. A cold, emotionless mask overtaking his features.

Bulma sighed loudly, her shoulders drooping. These two were going to drive her insane.

"Can you please talk to him Goku," she begged.

He gave her a grin and half-hug as he kissed her head. "I'll see what I can do," He didn't bother looking back, and if he did he'd see a blushing Bulma. "See you tonight,"

Blushing Bulma giggled softly, filled with so much excitement that she raced up to her room to prepare for whatever the male had in mind.

On the opposite end of the house, it didn't take Goku long to find Vegeta.

"Hey, Vegeta!" Goku called walking up behind the saiyan prince. Vegeta gave him a brief look over the shoulder before returning to strike the reinforced punching bag. He'd done the same thing for the nearly two weeks since Goku and Kagome arrived on earth. It didn't help that Kagome was avoiding the other male even if she wanted to be with him.

And as much as he loves Kagome, Goku wanted to be spending more alone time with Bulma, but he couldn't do that if he had to keep worrying over Kagome every second of the day.

"What do you want Kakarot, I'm busy," he said between hitting the bag, maybe not as hard as he could but enough to build up a sweat.

Coming to hold the bag Goku debated turning back and just waiting it out. The two wanted to be together, it was obvious even to him, but with Kagome's fear and Vegeta's doubt they hadn't been able to stay in the same room for more than a few seconds without Kagome quickly leaving and Vegeta not going after her.

"It's about Kagome," he started, the saiyan pausing mid-strike to look at him with narrowed eyes.

"Is she alright?"

"Physically she's fine but other than that," he trailed off with a sigh. "She's in a lot of pain. I don't know what to do, but maybe you can talk to her and be there for her tonight," it was no secret that Goku had yet to sleep alone as Kagome had been seeking him out before bed. She was pledged by nightmares and feared sleep because of them, but more specifically she feared waking up alone.

"Hn," he walked away, but Goku knew where he was heading and headed in the opposite direction to find Bulma, they had much to discuss after all.

~o.O~O.o~

Kagome eyed the bed, her fingers dragging along the soft blankets before pulling them back to her chest. Her eyes then moving over the room itself. It was large but plain overall. Aside from the bed and nightstands, there was a dresser full of clothes Bulma gifted her after fulfilling the promise they'd go shopping- which they did fairly regularly. There was a closet, bursting from the countless trips to varying stores and shops, and then an open doorway to the large bathroom. Moving away from the bed she walked over to the seating area that consisted of two chairs and a table beside the circular window looking out over a garden.

It was roomy, maybe even homey, but Kagome could not find comfort in it.

Dressed in a tight white long-sleeve crop top shirt and fitted dark joggers, the saiyan hugged herself as she looked out the window. Her mind miles away from her current time and place. She felt alone, again, and ached for familiarity. She wanted her brother Raditz, and family back.

For months she knew she'd end up on earth, but she didn't think about staying. There was a planet out there full of her people, having been forced into hiding countless years ago. Kagome wanted to go to the new saiyan planet, or at least know that it is still in existence. But to do that she would need the help of Goku, and King Kai. Without Frieza they no longer had to hide, they could take back their place as a warrior race once again. She longed for the past in which she would never have again. But there were some things she could do, and going to the new Planet Vegeta was on the top of her list.

Leaning against the wall, she continued to take in the world around her. There were blue skies that melted into pinks and orange as the sun sets off in the distance of the horizon, green foliage surrounded the city while outside of it was nothing but brown, sandy, desert. It was but a temporary home, at the moment, yet she felt compelled to stay, even without knowing anything but what Goku told her; Earth felt like home. The name itself held a familiarity to it. Since landing she had been bombarded with feelings, at first she thought it had to do with Vegeta, but there was more. She could not escape the feeling of loss and longing that bloomed within her chest for both the saiyan prince and those she was unknowingly missing.

There was a knock at the door, she made no move to answer nor did she turn as he walked in.

"Kagome-" he trailed off before he could even start, her name a gentle whisper on his lips.

"You shouldn't be here," she continued to look out the window, her voice cold and distant. Her body is painfully rigid as she fought against her instincts that she was taught to trust. But she didn't trust herself.

His aura enveloped the room in warm curls, pushing against her own, calling out to her while wrapping her in it. Her instincts demanded she submits; to throw herself into his arms and forget the rest. Yet the other half, the part haunted by years of torture, held her in place. How was she to trust him? She knew that part of him still held out a claim to their bond, his declaration earlier saying as much, but how much of that was from guilt or a sense of obligation to her? He was not the same prince, years had changed him, just as she was not the same girl who'd promised herself to him.

"I'm sorry," his voice was small yet forced her to turn at the nearness. He stood over her, his onyx eyes staring down at her.

Forcing her eyes away, she hoped he did not see what she was trying desperately to hide; hope. As foolish as it was to hope, Kagome did, she wanted him with every fiber in her being and hoped he wanted her just as badly. Yet the chains of her past weighted at her mind and limbs, restricting her emotions and ability to trust. She had become a tortured woman, haunted and scarred by a monster killed by her hand. Who was she without Frieza? The thought scared her because the answer, to her, was nothing. He had tortured her, molested, and beaten her before raping her. Those decades spent with him had stripped her of many things, and even with him dead she still felt trapped. Who was she? Was she still Kagome?

"You shouldn't be here Vegeta,"

"Why not?" She didn't answer, not that he gave her the opportunity. "We have a second chance, and you can't even look at me,"

"I release you of whatever obligation you think you owe me Vegeta, it's been years since then. Besides we were children when we made that commitment," her heart constricted at the painfully cold words. She wanted freedom but still wanted Vegeta, there was no way to have both.

"What obligation!?" He growled, turning her by the shoulder. "I loved you then just as I love you now!" Her eyes grew wide. "Those were not just pretty words I said back then, you are the only woman I have ever loved. When I thought you died-" he trailed off with a snarl, turning away.

As he stepped back, she followed, her hand held to her chest as if to prevent her heart from leaping out.

He sighed heavily running a hand through his hair before turning tired eyes at her. They shined brightly, reflecting the light of the sunset outside. Emotions ran rampant across his features as they stared at one another.

"I wanted to die with you," he whispered, taking a step forward to caress her cheek with a calloused hand. "I failed you as a mate then, let me make it up to you now, while I can. However long it takes, even if it takes me a lifetime, let me prove myself,"

"I can't," tears fell down her cheeks. But she wanted to, the man she loved was standing in front of her professing his undying love, but still, the fear of rejection clung to her. She had been defiled and tortured, when she told him would he still desire her? And what of the boy, his existence hung dangerously by a thin line.

"Why not? Do you not love me? Please give me another chance,"

"Of course I do, but-" her mind going to Trunks.

"But nothing! I will not lose you again!" He swept her into his arms claiming her lips with his in a demanding kiss. Any protest she had died on her tongue as she melted into his embrace. Her hands gripping his shirt while his hands traveled the length of her sides.

"Please" his words were a whisper upon their lips. "Let me love you,"

Tears swelled falling rapidly down her cheeks with a sob that rocked her shoulders. "I'm afraid," she admitted with a trembling voice. She clung to him, her knees weak.

"Of what?"

"If you'll still love me if you knew what he did to me," her knees buckled under the memories. She spent roughly 10 years with that devil, maybe even more. When she closed her eyes she was on that ship again, and Frieza was there, looming over her; ready to break her.

His arms were the only thing holding her up at that point. Her head bowed as the tears flowed effortlessly down her cheek, not even a sob came out as she cried.

When he left her, because he would when she told him, she would have nothing but her nightmares. Every night they welcomed her and every morning she'd wish for death as the pain of her memories weighted heavily on her soul. Her body was free of him and the onslaught of his sadistic tendencies, but Frieza still lived when she slept.

"You don't have to tell me," he whispered into her hair. He pulled her close cradling her head to his chest, his opposite arm securely at her waist supporting her. "If you never want to tell me, I will understand, and I will never force it. But I'm not leaving you, I refuse to abandon you,"

"B-but-" he had a right to know, as a suitor it was her duty to tell him.

"When you are ready I will listen until then I will care for you," pulling her to the bed he laid them down with his larger frame wrapped around her.

Her tears flowed as she clenched, and unclenched her hands in his shirt. So many things raced in her head that she wanted to say and ask, but she couldn't find the will to voice them.

"Get some sleep, I will protect you,"