I love Bulma's ability to be vulnerable *and* tough. She always finds something inside of her to keep going.

Bulma didn't wake again until around noon. The inside of her mouth tasted like a fuzzy, slimy sponge. Her head hurt, which she expected, but it wasn't that bad. She would've slept longer had she not felt something licking her fingers. Tama was curled in a ball, flicking her tail.

"You were under my bed last night, weren't you?" Bulma cuddled next to her. "You must know how I got here, Tama. You see everything."

The cat stretched her neck so Bulma could scratch her chin. Tama wasn't interested in her mistress's questions. This was their special time together - one that they didn't have the night before because of the man. She hissed cautiously when he entered the bedroom carrying Bulma, which he ignored, but she settled down after sensing no aggression from him. Bulma appeared relaxed as the man silently tended to her. Before leaving, he stroked her hair a few times and sighed. Then he looked at Tama. By now the cat was sitting on the nightstand.

He rubbed his eyes and coughed a bit. "I still hate you, but I see why she enjoys your company," he said.

The man checked on Bulma again later that morning, too. He seemed content after seeing Tama by her side - at least that's what the cat sensed - and shut the door. Tama then returned to sleep, but the memory stayed with her until she decided Bulma needed to awaken. Finger-licking was often effective. They both had jobs to do that day.

Bulma checked the time after holding the cat in her arms a while longer. She had to face her father, so she drank some water and prepared to call him. He rarely left messages when angry. It was past midday, so he must have been livid. She decided to use the video screen this time. Maybe he would feel sorry for her after seeing her. She didn't get this drunk often, so he might not be hard on her - especially since he had moments like this too.

Dr. Brief lit a cigarette. "Why are you calling me now, Bulma? I should probably return home since you obviously don't want to be here, and you look terrible. What were you doing?"

"Mom and I had too much to drink last night. We were having a little fun and went too far, I guess - and I needed a break. That's all."

"You think that's a proper excuse?" He leaned into the screen. "Weren't you the one who said we're pressed for time?"

"Yes, father, but I meant with other projects. This one is too unstable, and even if we finished I would want Goku to use it."

"Well that's unfair." Dr. Brief turned to blow smoke in the air. "Vegeta is the best candidate. He's been with us and deserves a chance. You see he's losing motivation, and that can't happen. It's unsafe for all of us. Besides, he would be furious if our work went to someone he despises."

Bulma massaged her temples. His scolding made her head hurt worse. "He doesn't hate Goku. I realize this now. At this point he just wants to be stronger than him."

"And you are delusional, Bulma. Vegeta hates him - which I don't really care about. You have several jobs to finish, young lady. The robot assistants are ready on site, and he will travel with you."

"What?!"

"I asked him to come, sweetheart. That should give you an incentive to get here faster."

"But, but daddy!"

"Pack your bags and get dressed, young lady. Now!"

"I can't believe he just hung up on me." Bulma sullenly threw pillows everywhere. Tama, who wanted more attention, kneaded on her legs until her frustrated mistress picked her up.

"I guess I can't pout forever, kitty. I am not looking forward to this. Maybe that jerk will decide to fly there alone. Perhaps he already is. I might take you with me this time for protection."

She looked everywhere for Vegeta. He had to be around somewhere. She felt it. Maybe he was purposely hiding from her. It's not like she wanted him coming to the lab anyway. He would likely continue annoying her about the work and why they were finally going there. Maybe he would keep his mouth shut this time because she embarrassed him the night before. She felt a pang of guilt, especially after realizing that he helped her to bed safely.

He had called her a bitch, though, but that didn't upset her. It wasn't the first time anyone said it, nor would it be the last. Hell, Vegeta learned the uniquely human word from her. She wore it as a badge of honor for being a bad ass woman.

"Mom, have you seen Vegeta?"

"Lower your voice, please." Panchy held a bag of ice to her head. "How the hell should I know where the half-pint prince is? It's not like I cooked this morning, but I see he devoured most of our leftovers. I guess those furry woodland creatures and mountain berries didn't satisfy his appetite."

"You should probably return to bed, mom. I think you're still a bit drunk."

Panchy winced. "I'm not the only one, dear. Drink more water. You have dark circles under your eyes."

"Goodbye, mother."

Bulma felt like she was running in circles. He's not in the gravity room. He's not in the training area. He hasn't returned my calls. I am done with this crap. If his majesty doesn't show up in ten minutes, I'm leaving.

She threw down a capsule to unpack her hover plane on the estate's runway. Tama would go with her this time. Being in a cat carrier wasn't the animal's preferred way to travel.

"Meoooowww."

"I know, sweetie." Bulma poked her fingers into the cage. "I'm sorry. We've done this before. You'll be fine."

"You are wasting time, woman," Vegeta said from behind the plane. "Shall we leave, or does your beast need soft music too? She is deceiving you."

Angry, Bulma slowly stood up. "Make that the last time you sneak up on me, Vegeta, or else I might do what mother threatened last night. Where have you been? I looked for you everywhere. Actually, I hoped you left already."

"I bet you did." Vegeta threw his bag and hers past the cockpit.

Grumbling, Bulma slammed the door. "Put on your seatbelt."

"For what?" Vegeta rubbed his eyes and sneered. "We are not in deep space. Besides, restraining myself would stop me from poisoning you with my stomach gas. The stench might help you fly faster."

"Oh for fuck's sake, man." Bulma gripped the side-stick control. "Must it be like this the entire trip there? You could easily fly without me."

Vegeta drew his palm down the center of his face. "Trust me, I would love it, but your father asked me to be here!"

"Since when did you care what daddy politely asks of you?

"I would not care usually, but maintaining your safety gets me what I want." He grabbed a water bottle. "You crashing into a mountain because of any leftover drunkenness would delay that goal. How many times are we having this talk, Bulma? Are you not tired of it by now?"

"Fine!"

"Fine!"

###

It was two hours into their flight and Bulma hoped Vegeta would be sleeping. Most people did when they weren't the pilot, and Vegeta had never flown with her before. Instead he stayed wide awake - to her annoyance. He also seemed uncomfortable, and he kept clearing his throat. Bulma figured he had been screaming at the pigeons outside again. They liked to poo on him now, same as other birds, but he was under strict orders not to kill animals roaming the estate. Whatever he did in the deep woods, the Briefs didn't want to know - but they stopped letting Tama wander far from them.

"One more fucking hour of this," Bulma said under her breath. "If only I weren't sharing so much airspace today."

Vegeta stared out the window. "Perhaps your father should sell fewer airplane capsules."

Bulma finally decided to be the better person and call a truce. They both needed to calm themselves, and she had to navigate the plane properly.

"You know, Vegeta, thank you for helping get to my room last night. I must have been really drunk."

"Tch. That is an understatement. You looked foolish lying against the wall. You were practically drooling. Remember what I said before about my goal?"

"Look, it's not just your goal," Bulma said quietly. "We're invested in our livelihoods here too."

"Yes, I know - those scary, scary androids." He rubbed his eyes and cleared his throat. "I am almost insulted that you do not fear me more."

Bulma looked over at him. "Are you okay? You are rubbing your eyes constantly and drinking a lot of water. Is it hot? I can adjust the climate control."

"I am fine," he growled. "I need to get up. Where is the rest of the water?"

Bulma continued watching him closely. "You know where it is, silly - the mini-cargo hold in the back."

He looked around. "And where… is Tama?"

Something isn't right. He knows where her cage is. He put her there.

"You rarely call my cat by her name." Bulma adjusted the controls and unfastened her seatbelt. "The plane is on autopilot. What's wrong?"

Vegeta began sneezing and coughing, and then his face started swelling. He was losing his breath.

Bulma leapt from the cockpit to grab her medical case. His treatment is wearing off! How could this happen?

"Why didn't you tell anyone?" She jammed a needle in his thigh. "Had you stopped your therapy? You're certifiably crazy for flying with me!"

She knew Vegeta couldn't answer immediately, but seeing him so pale and shaky scared the hell out her. She had a flashback about his injuries from before.

He should be tougher than this. He is stronger than this. The man has been shot through the chest, drowned, and thrown into boulders. Saiyans are more powerful each time they get hurt. What in the world is happening?

Vegeta loosened his shirt and exhaled. "Of course I did not stop therapy. I told your father as soon as I noticed small problems. He says I am having some kind of rebound effect. I cannot let it get my way. Your doctor provided stronger prophylaxis until he reworks my treatment. I have managed well."

"Okay, you can shut up now," Bulma took his hand in hers. "You should be damned glad I had this epinephrine pen. You were going into shock, you idiot. The air is recycled in here - you know that. Now we have to keep injecting you with medicine until we land on the mountain. We don't have much longer."

"Stop fretting," he said, pushing her arm away. "What you see now has happened within less than twenty-four hours. It is ridiculous. I still have the ability to fight…"

Bulma restrained herself from smacking his face. "You can shut up again. Amazing. You were well enough to play hide-and-seek with my panties yesterday when what you really needed was a cold shower."

Vegeta grinned - just a little.

Bulma was beyond angry, seething was more like it, after they arrived. Once she got Vegeta squared away - which he complained about, of course - she stormed over to her father's lab.

Daddy is going to hear a mouthful about this.

She threw a beaker on the floor, spreading glass everywhere. "Damn it, daddy! He could have died!" She broke another beaker. "You could have told me!"

Dr. Brief calmly looked at her. "You will clean that up. Vegeta would've said something if he thought you should know. You shouldn't be surprised that he didn't. He'll be fine regardless. I had no idea you would bring our cat."

"Well, we can't keep Tama locked in a cage for a month!"

"We're not. You're taking her home."

Bulma stared at him like he was crazy. "What do you mean?"

"Do I look like I'm joking, young lady? Take her home now!"

"What is wrong with you, daddy? I am sick and tired of you yelling at me."

"And I am tired of you losing focus, Bulma. You know Tama can't stay here, and I need Vegeta well and working. That's why I had him come. I knew this problem would hit him hard. It was a matter of time, and it's not just our cat causing these reactions now. However, his new treatment is almost done. It should solve all of this completely within weeks. And keep in mind that he could die anyway, just like the rest of us. You heard what that boy from the future said."

Bulma kept her head down while she swept the broken glass. Her father had hurt her feelings.

"You also want to tell him about the other stuff."

"Yes, sweetheart, I will tell him." Dr. Brief opened the trash can. "You know why? Because he will pester you about finishing until he get what he wants - and what I want. Now leave after you finish cleaning. It's early enough to fly back here, but you should stay home to remember what you are - a rational, detached, brilliant scientist. See you in the morning, and please try to stay sober."