Bulma took the lanyard out from her lab coat pocket. She shuffled through the keys and cards until she got to the blue passcard. She could sense him in a place that he hadn't been for awhile. The West Tower. Since as long as she could remember, the two towers of Capsule Corp had been off limits. She had never really known what they were for, but her dad used a blue card to open them since the house was built. It used to irritate her to no end. She was Bulma, the spoiled daughter; the heiress. Surely her father wouldn't hide anything from her. It wasn't until she was a teenager that she finally produced a replica of the passcard, not being able to stand it any longer. She tried the East Tower first, and it had been a disappointment. There was nothing there. When she walked around the large rounded room for a moment or two, it just seemed empty. But as she climbed the steps to the second level, the air started to get heavy. She felt like everything was pressing down on her. It didn't hurt, but after awhile, it made her extremely uncomfortable. Running back to the safety of the hallway, she wondered what to make of it. She couldn't ask her dad, since she wasn't supposed to be in there. It was only after she had discovered his gravity projects in her twenties that she realized what was in the tower. It had been a sort of a test room for anything he was tinkering with. Later, she found the machine for the gravity initiator on the second level. Then, there would be something glowing in there. Or something moving around. Half the time she stayed away. But she always wondered...why the towers? Some time after she discovered the gravity simulator in the East Tower, she was brave enough to swipe the card into the keypad for the west one. She had expected another test room. She was wrong.

Standing in the round room, with its weird fuzzy carpets (pink!) too comfortable couches, and shameful magazines spread over the low table and floor, she realized that her father was a Roshi. A perverted old man. Just when she thought she couldn't take it anymore, she noticed signs that her mother had been in there too. She recognized a dress of hers, and a plate of cakes that only she made. She remembered being so disgusted, but with her mom in the equation, it somehow seemed a little better. At least he wasn't having an affair. Sure, he was a pervert, but at least he was including her.

Standing at the sealed metal door to that very same tower now, she was glad Vegeta wasn't that way. He found dirty magazines utterly revolting, and felt the same about any kind of adult toy or kink. He was natural and a bit of a purist when it came to sex. As she slid the card through the slot, she smiled. He didn't know that she still had the same card she'd used as a teen. Part of her had wanted to throw it away back then, but something had held her back. She'd nastily planned to walk in at one point, or for someone else to do it. But after awhile, she got over it, and realized that she still respected her father, and even if she caught him doing something weird, he wouldn't be embarrassed. The man had no shame. And...she just really, REALLY didn't want to see him or her mom naked. She shuddered, then gritted her teeth as the door flew up.

The room had been revamped. When she was in her thirties, not long after she and Vegeta had gotten married, her mother (horrifyingly enough) asked Bulma if she would like to use the West Tower with her new husband. She had been revolted with the idea. Sure, she wouldn't mind having a special little playground for the two of them, but Vegeta was too traditional, and the very thought of using it after her parents had been in there for so many years, doing who-knew-what was unthinkable. So, she had merely redecorated the room with some nice masculine things. Vegeta shared a room with her by then, and didn't really have a place to call his own. He had the gravity room, but it was for training, not relaxing. She'd noticed that he liked to be up high like a cat, either hanging out on the balcony or the roof. The West Tower would be a perfect place for him to get away. He could lock himself up in it, and just be alone. Just be himself. She revamped it with darker colors (mostly blues and blacks) a couch that was soft, but firm. A large screen TV, (since he'd gotten used to it and liked to relax that way) and a kitchenette. That was on the second floor. She'd stocked the fridge and cupboards with all his favorite foods, but left out an oven, only leaving a microwave. He had never been much of a cook, and she didn't want him to burn the tower down. When the day came, and it was ready, she simply handed him the card, telling him that she respected her new husband's privacy. He was perplexed at first, and when she led him to the door, she let him slide the card, then left with a smile. She never even waited for a reaction. It would embarrass him to act impressed when he only ever felt deeper emotions inside. She'd learned that after a few years of being his wife. But later that night, he came to her in bed, treating her with a bit more gentleness than usual, his eyes shining in the dark. He held her tighter, touched her more and spoke her name softly. It brought joy to her, and she knew that he appreciated his new special place. Imagining him standing in that round room, looking at all the new things in wonder was something she liked to fantasize about. She also had a secret amusement that he would never know what the room was previously. And she would never tell him.

The West Tower became a favorite place of his. After the fight for Earth and Majin Buu's defeat, he spent an unusual amount of time in there, and she worried for awhile, but he slowly went back to normal, more content than ever, and finally happy for once in his life. Bulma knew that was one of the major traits about Vegeta. If you left him alone, he would figure things out. If you pushed and pried, it would open a rift, and drive him away. The only time she had ever pushed a bit with him was that first step she had made in getting to know him, and that had only been because of the looks he gave her. Even then, she could read the difference between "get away from me" and "I dare you to get closer". She had taken him up on that dare, and his won his respect. It had been a gamble, but one she had been willing to make. He'd let her in, and she hadn't regretted it since.

Now as she stood at the door of the tower, she wondered why she was here. She'd wanted to try actual flying today, and she needed him to help her. When she searched for his energy signature, she was surprised to find him here. He hadn't been in his tower for months. How she knew that, she couldn't say, since she never actually went in there herself. But she could tell by reading his mood when he hadn't had quality alone time to himself. Usually he was strained, quick to anger. However, this time he was still content. Could he finally feel like himself with her and his family? It was for this reason that she'd been a bit alarmed that he was up here after all this while. She hoped something wasn't wrong.

When the door slid up, she gasped. The room looked both the same, and different. He's kept all of her decoration, but had added to it. Enhanced it. It was...beautiful. The room was completely him. The walls were a dark blue, which wasn't confining because of the windows that wrapped around the tower. But now, there was a symbol painted on it in red. It curved with the wall, the sharp arrows bold and graceful at the same time. She knew that symbol as well as she knew her own heart. It was the royal crest of the Saiyans. She stepped closer, putting her hand out. It rested there and she could almost feel heat in it. He'd painted it there so carefully. It was at least three layers thick, to go over the dark underneath, and drawn out like he'd used a stencil. She pressed her forehead onto it, filling up with love for her prince. Reaching out with her ki, she felt him on the upper level, in the kitchenette. He knew she was there, and he wasn't surprised. He'd been waiting for her. She pushed off the wall, walking into the middle of the room. She felt like he was letting her into his heart all over again. This place resounded so strongly with his aura that she felt if he ever died again, she'd spend the rest of her life in here. The long, narrow windows that surrounded the room were open halfway, letting in the breeze. But she could still smell him. It was deep, dark, and rich. He smelled like earth, blood and life. The same scent she smelled when her mother broke open the earth with her shovel in her garden. The same scent as the fresh rain on cement. Alive, and connected to everything around him. And she was standing in the heart of it.

Bulma turned a slow circle on the thick carpet. The couch had one of his shirts thrown over the side. The screen was lit up with pictures from the hubble telescope in outer space. Stars and meteors winked at her. There was even leftover food on the table. But the room was taken care of. Respected. He had been given a gift, and he honored it.

"Vegeta." She whispered. His name was love on her lips. She heard his footsteps coming down the metal spiral staircase. He walked over to her silently, watching her as she looked at his mural on the wall. Her hand was unconsciously clasped over her heart.

"I can't believe you did that. It's beautiful. Where did you even get the paint?"

"It's not paint." His voice was unexpectedly rough. She turned toward him sharply. "It's blood." He said. His tone remained serious, his face stone. For a split second, she believed him. Then his eyes glittered mockingly.

"That's not...shut up." She looked down, embarrassed at her doubt. But he only chuckled softly.

"I scared you for a moment, didn't I? You're so easy."

"Brat." Her eyes flared, but cooled in an instant when she saw his lazy smirk. She moved closer to him.

"I like what you've done with the place." She flirted. Her hand rested on his chest, still marveling at the slow in and out of his breath, after all these years. He had died three times, twice since she'd known him. He still felt intangible at times, like a swift wind.

"Hn. I improved it."

"Hey, what do you mean improved? I decorated everything how I thought you would-" He lay a finger over her lips, stifling her protest.

"I know that. I'm just being an ass."

"Wow. And admitting it too." She leaned into him, her eyes still on the room. "I really do like it, though. Even though this is probably the only time I'll ever come in here."

"Why?" He asked, softly. She flicked her eyes towards him, and he looked puzzled. Did he really not mind her being here? This was his one refuge. She told him as much.

"I don't care. You are… It's not…" He ran his hand through his hair awkwardly. He was trying to say something meaningful again, and failing. But she understood.

"It's okay. You can have your own place, Vegeta. I have mine. Nobody disturbs me in my room."

"Wait... you still have your own room?"

"Well, yeah! You didn't know that?"

"Why would I?"

"I don't know… I guess you don't really go in there."

"No." He frowned at her. "It's probably too damn girly anyway."

"What, like when I was twelve? No...It's mostly just science-y stuff."

"Hn…" It was quiet for a moment, and Bulma started to pick up some of the things that were laying around. Vegeta growled.

"Leave it. You don't need to clean up after me in here. I'll get it later." She put the dish back on the table and with a coy look, tossed the shirt back on the couch.

"That's better." He smirked. "So...how did you get in here?"

"What do you mean? I used the passcard. The blue one."

"But… you gave the card to me."

"Oh, that was my dad's when he used to go up here. I have a replica I made when I was a teenager." She shrugged and turned away, dramatically. "I just can't be kept away from secrets. It taunted me, not knowing what was up here."

"What was it?" He asked, curiously. Bulma frowned, glad her back was to him. The conversation was veering dangerously close to the "pervert room" as she had dubbed it.

"Oh, just more science-y stuff. He liked to test things here. He still uses the East Tower for that. Doesn't really need both of them." She kept her voice casual and thought about the other tower while she said it, keeping it true. And, really, he did "test things" here. She tried not to shudder. Vegeta could sniff out a lie like a wolf. Especially when it was her. He said nothing. She almost stiffened, but relaxed as he changed the subject.

"Well. I came up here hoping you'd follow me this time." He was behind her now, close. She turned around, her eyebrow arching sensually.

"Hmm… You know, this is the only place on the whole compound that we haven't done it in." She hoped he'd take the bait, but he frowned and rolled his eyes.

"No, that's not why I wanted you here, woman. God, sometimes I swear you are more of an animal than I am." He said. Bulma pouted a little, mostly in fun.

"Aw…" She poked his stomach playfully.

"Hn. Don't break your finger off." He smirked.

"Yeah, yeah. So...what did you bring me here for?"

"Tch. What do you think? What have we been working on for almost a month? And isn't this the highest place here?"

"Wait a minute...No, Vegeta. I am not doing that…" She backed away, her eyes narrowed. He growled and yanked at his hair.

"Oh, for hell's sake, Bulma. What do you think I'm going to do? Throw you off the tower?"

"Well, no, but…" She bit her lip. He came closer to her and she could feel the wall at her back. His mural was behind her. She still felt some kind of heat in it when she pressed against it. He slowly reached down and clasped his hands into hers.

"Do you trust me?" His eyes were black on hers, glittering. "Because if you don't, I can't do a damned thing with you." His tone was hard, and she knew he was talking about more than just flying. She swallowed.

"Okay. Yeah. I trust you." She whispered.

"Good." He released her hands. "It's easier from a higher spot. Which is why baby birds leap from their nests, I guess." He winked wickedly at her.

"Oh, you are such a-"

"Follow me." He went up the stairs, when he could have floated up to the top. She guessed he was making it easier for her. When they reached the small kitchen, he felt around on the wall. When he pressed his hand in the right place, a panel popped out. Bulma gasped.

"Hey, what the…? I never noticed that here."

"I guess you weren't looking hard enough." He jammed down a button and there was a loud whirring noise. Bulma's jaw dropped as the roof above her began to open up. It started at the center and pushed out like a flower spreading its petals. Vegeta watched her awestruck expression. He snorted.

"Can you follow me up there?" He gestured to the sky. Bulma took a deep breath.

"I guess so…what the heck does it even open up for? Weird."

" It was probably for some giant telescope or something." He replied. Her face took on a strange expression. What would he need a telescope for in the pervert room? Vegeta sighed impatiently.

"Well? Come on." He leapt into the air effortlessly, and Bulma stood there for a moment. He was already a few feet above her, slowly rising into the sky. He looked down at her, a thick eyebrow cocked.

"Coming?" He asked. She could feel the annoyance he had for her not trusting herself. She nodded. Then with one quick burst of energy, her ki lifted her up. She had barely had to concentrate this time. She went so fast, she almost collided with Vegeta. He grunted in surprise.

"Looks like your body was more eager than you head." He blushed as Bulma laughed at the remark.

"As it usually is…" He said quietly. Watching her carefully, he read her ki. It was was dwindling, but slowly. If he could get her to train her stamina, this would be easier. He drifted closer to her.

"Land on the roof, and I'll close this thing." He remarked. Bulma rose up over his head into the sky, though she was starting to wobble. He sighed when he heard her feet hit the roof of the main house.

"Okay!" She shouted breathlessly. "I'm here!" He nodded to himself, then floated over the tower roof. He focused on the button in the kitchen. Shooting a thin laser from his hand, he hit it, and the roof folded back up again. He smirked. He'd only done that one other time. The hidden panel was a recent discovery of his, but he wouldn't let Bulma know. He liked the idea that she had lived here her whole life and hadn't known about it, while he could have found it in his first day in the tower, for all she knew. He floated down to her, landing on the warm yellow roof. It curved a bit, but it was still one of his favorite places to sit. He liked to be closer to the stars. They stood there for a second, then Bulma gave a shout, startling him.

"Hey, I can see Bra! BRA!" She waved at their little daughter. The child laughed, then flew towards them.

"Mommy! Did you fly up there?"

"Well...I guess I did."

"Yay! I wanna fly with you!"

"Not yet, Bra." Vegeta chided her. "She's not quite ready to do acrobatics like you." Bulma glared at him.

"Aw...Can I teach her some stuff?"

"Hn." Vegeta looked thoughtful. "You can give her some pointers. She doesn't seem to hold her stamina very well. Remember what I told you about stamina?"

"Yeah! It's a big word for strength!" Bra floated over to them, landing on the roof and running over to Bulma. She reached up, and Bulma knelt down to her, giving her a hug. She smelled like the wind.

"Okay, Mommy. I'll show you something cool. You can keep your strength in you longer."

"Really? How?" Her eyes flicked over to Vegeta, but he only nodded at their daughter. Apparently he was handing her the reins for the moment.

"It's like when you go potty!" She yelled triumphantly. Vegeta's eyes grew wide, and he blushed.

"What!? I never told you that!"

"I know. But I thought of it myself this morning." She smiled impishly. Bulma laughed, and Vegeta slapped his forehead.

"I said it's like when you hold your breath underwater. You only let a little out at a time."

"Like air in a balloon?" Bulma asked curiously.

"Yes, like-"

"Like your pee pee!" Bra grinned as her father's face grew even more red.

"You only let a little out at a time, instead of peeing all the way. It's like that with your stamina too! Try it, Mommy!" She smiled up at Bulma. Vegeta rolled her eyes when she tried to concentrate, but only laughed.

"Oh, great." He glared at Bra, who only smiled wider. "Do you see what you've done? Now she won't ever be able to take this seriously. Try it with the balloon analogy, Bulma." She nodded, a grin still on her face. Bra ran up to Vegeta and hugged his leg fiercely. He growled, and she growled back. Then he lay a hand on her head, relenting. He liked the impish part of her, anyway.

Bulma took a deep breath, and focused on her strength. She had felt it starting to ebb while in the air, but had gained some of it back. She rose up slowly, only giving a little push. She had shot up too fast the first time. Now, she really concentrated on holding back. The balloon appeared in her mind, air eeking out of a hole slowly. But then it became a bladder, and she bit her lip to keep from laughing. Somehow that analogy was helping even more though, so she went with it. The building energy was a bit like a dam, aching to be released in one burst, and she remembered the last time she had had to pee so bad. It was actually pretty embarrassing. She had been lying with a naked Vegeta, his dead weight on top of her. He'd been asleep, and she'd tossed around to get him to wake up. By the time he groggily rolled over, she felt like her face was turning blue.

Now, she really wanted to let go of her ki, but she held back. She rose higher and higher, and Vegeta and Bra rose with her.

"Yay, Mommy! You're doing it!"

"Keep going, Bulma! Hold on to your ki!"

She went still higher, and she was starting to panic. If she were to lose it at this height… Her ki wavered, and suddenly went out like a candle flame. She felt an enormous drain from her body, and the edge of her vision dimmed. Vegeta made a startled sound in his throat and she could vaguely hear Bra shouting to her. Her body felt so heavy. She was falling. Falling from the sky.