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V.

3:02 a.m.

The small digital clock on the bedside table read 3:02 a.m., the faint glow of the numbers and fullness of the moon providing a dim illumination of the room. All occupants of the usually buzzing Capsule Corp. were either gone or asleep, save the contemplative alien Prince. Sitting cross-legged on the bed, he intently watched his sleeping mate, her chest rising and falling with each breath. Despite her large stomach, she looked smaller, more fragile than she ever had to him. The discomfort this caused radiated throughout his body, his muscles instinctively tightening, gearing to battle an invisible and untouchable opponent.

"If you stare any longer, you'll burn two holes in its head," a sleep voice breathed. Bulma opened one eye, then the other, and gave her husband a sideways smile. "Wanna talk about it?"

"Hn," was Vegeta's only reply, but this was not a definite no, so the blue-haired scientist invited herself to continue.

With slight difficulty, Bulma wedged her arms under her back and fidgeted into a seated position. Her husband tensed again.

"Was it this large last time?" he inquired stiffly, eyeing her swollen midsection.

"Oh yeah," Bulma assured him with a grin, "even bigger. We have another two months to go!" she said, resting a hand on the unborn child.

The Saiyan said nothing at first, eyes still focused on his mate's torso. Finally, with great reluctance, he spoke. "I am uncomfortable with this process," he stated. "I was not here during your carrying of the first brat. I should have been." Vegeta looked down, making a fist with his hand, his perceived severity of the situation being the only thing that protected his cheeks from blushing at such a vulnerable admittance.

Bulma's smile dropped, her expression now one of empathy for the uncomfortable alien. "Hey," she began, covering his fist with a gentle hand, "I don't blame you for that. I never have. I know I tease you, but ya can't take it to heart! Things were different then, Vegeta. Your priority needed to be beating the androids. I supported that. And we weren't married then; Hell, I don't even think we were friends! I know I couldn't stand you one bit, anyway," she smiled again, giving his hand a squeeze. She wondered, distantly, if his powerful body could even register such gesture. "What matters is that you stayed for Trunks, and for me, and you're here now. You could have left any time these last ten years. You haven't, and I know what that means."

At this, Vegeta did blush, shifting uncomfortably in the presence of such an emotional display. Bulma released his hand, removing some of the intimacy in an attempt to appease him. "So don't worry about it, ok?" she insisted.

"Why have you never told me there were complications with Trunks's birth?" the Saiyan demanded, ignoring Bulma's previous comment. His eyes rose to meet hers, face dark and brows furrowed.

The scientist blinked, quite taken aback by the inquisition. "Who told you that? Was it my mother? Geeze she cannot keep a secret," she lamented, exhaling and shaking her head with annoyance.

"I overheard you and Kakarot's woman," Vegeta corrected. "And I hear your secret conversations with your parents and doctors. My hearing far surpasses that of a mere human's. I am not an idiot, and do not appreciate being treated as such."

Bulma bit her lip, realizing she'd been caught red handed. "I'm sorry," she confessed, giving him her most convincing please-forgive-me-look-how-cute-I-am face. "I didn't want you to worry! I've known you feel guilty about not being there when I had Trunks, and you're freaking out anyway, so I didn't see the point in adding to it."

"Didn't see the point?" the Saiyan growled, dismissing his wife's admittedly persuasive expression. "You are the mother of my children. I have sacrificed my life for you! Do I not deserve to know what is happening with your health? What would happen if you are killed? I cannot be responsible for both of these brats without you! I cannot be without you." His words hit the still air like a brick through a window, and they both sat silently, feeling the weight of them.

"I'm not going anywhere," Bulma said finally, "we're doing this together. Of course I wouldn't leave you to raise my children. Don't you worry."

"I'm not worried," the Saiyan assured his woman, "and I'm not freaking out."