Fallen – Chapter 10

When Vegeta finally entered the Med Lab he found the nurse standing close to Bulma as she sat on the edge of the bed, her feet dangling over. He said nothing but bent over and was about to scoop her up in his arms so he could carry her when he heard a decisive, "no" from the nurse. Vegeta stopped and looked at her, "Excuse me?! You forget your place!" The woman kept a tentative hand on Bulma's shoulder as she looked at Vegeta, "No, you forget you hired me because I know what I am talking about." She turned her attention to Bulma. "She sits here under her own power. She can walk to her own room. It would be good for her to move her muscles. If she lies in bed for too long they will atrophy and she will not be able to walk at all when she wakes up." Vegeta thought about it for a moment and agreed if he could get her to walk it would be a good idea, but how. He would not plead with Bulma in front of the nurse. He looked from Bulma to the nurse and back again. Penny took the hint and headed for the door, "A gentle tug and a kind word from you should be all it takes." Vegeta waited a moment longer as he used his Ki to trace the nurse to her room.

He stood in front of Bulma and his eyes softened as he looked into her unseeing eyes. "Your father says you can hear me." When no response came his heart sank. He went to her side and gently urged her to stand, "You will get fat lying around all day, Onna! Time to get up!" He was shocked when she stood as commanded by his touch. She wobbled for a moment but then stood still, waiting for the next input to tell her what to do next he realized. He held her hand and urged her gently towards the door. They made their way to the elevator but when it began to move Bulma lost her balance, fearful she would fall, he picked her up and carried her the remainder of the way.

When they entered their suite he was surprised again to find the nurse tending to his son. She stopped and looked at him. "I thought we were in agreement that walking was good for her?" she questioned him. Vegeta sat Bulma down in a chair near the balcony to get some sun before turning to face Penny, "She nearly fell in the elevator. I will not have her injuring herself further." Penny nodded her head. Dr. Briefs had warned her of his temper and was surprised he was being as hospitable as he was. This was a heavy ordeal for all concerned.

Vegeta returned his attention to Bulma. He placed his hand on her shoulder. Is she too cool? Should I cover her? He walked to the couch and grabbed a small throw blanket and laid it across Bulma's lap just in case. He walked to the kitchenette and poured himself a cup of coffee. Today was going to be a long day and sleep was difficult these past days, especially since his nightmares returned. He leaned against the counter keeping a watchful eye over Bulma.

Penny decided now would be a good time to set some ground rules. She kept her distance but maintained eye contact. "I am here to make this as least stressful as possible." The sudden change from silence to conversation startled Vegeta from his thoughts, "You have no idea." She shook off his insult and pressed on. "I am here to tend to her needs and that of your toddler. One alone can be too much. I will do my best not to interfere with your household unless it is on their best interest." He continued to look at her in disbelief, who did she think she was? "I do not presume to tell you what to do or how to do it. I will do my best to, how did you put it earlier, remember my place." She grinned at him. She was trying to pick at him. Inwardly he was grateful she had a sense of humor. Outwardly he revealed nothing.

He sat down his mug. "You will only enter these chambers when I permit" he began. "All meals will be served here," he motioned to the table, "unless his grandparents fetch him. I will eat here with her". He walked around the room giving instruction to this and that. She quickly realized that he treated her like a servant. She would take up his demeanor with Dr. Briefs later. Having had enough of being belittled she walked away, Vegeta in mid sentence, to attend Bulma.

She walked in front of her and removed the blanket, "Come on now, dear." She said as she urged Bulma to stand. Vegeta was angry she had dismissed him and became even angrier when he saw her remove the blanket. "What do you think you are doing?" Penny had reached her limit with him talking down on her as she turned to face him, her face flush with anger. "I'm doing my job and taking her to use the bathroom, unless you would rather do it yourself." Vegeta heard a crash come from Trunk's room and began to walk away, "Do what you will" he said exasperated.

Every two hours the same routine persisted. Feed the woman and take her to the bathroom. It seemed the only time the nurse left him alone with Bulma was at his mealtimes, but even then Trunks was running around stopping only to grab something off his plate and continue to run. Bunny and the old man came to visit only once and Bunny took Trunks downstairs for dinner. Finally Vegeta was alone with Bulma. "You have to get better soon, Onna! I don't know how much longer I can contain myself against this insanity" he said playfully as he returned the spoon to her mouth. He cocked his head to the side and studied her features, did he just see that right. He decided to check his theory. "Trunks broke another truck today, he tried to climb the ladder on the back of the fire truck." There is was again. Her eyes flicked in his direction when he talked. This was the first time her eyes made any attempt at movement and was promising. He tried his best to continue the idle conversation for the rest of the meal. Penny approached the door to the apartment but hesitated when she heard Vegeta talking, recanting his day to Bulma. He turned and left. He would call if she was needed.

Bed time came with its own set of complications. The nurse returned and bathed Trunks and put him to bed. Bulma was similar. She now lay, resting in the middle of their bed as Vegeta sat on the balcony. The nurse had retired to her own room reminding him, "Do not hesitate to send for me if you need me." Now he was alone. He had thought that was all he wanted all day long, but now that it was here he was unsure of himself. He sat on the balcony guarding against unseen enemies. Then a knock came at the door. He looked at the clock. It was nearly midnight. He pulsed his ki and determined her father stood outside the door.

He crossed the room and let the old man in. He had an envelope in his hands. Vegeta returned to his post on the balcony and Dr. Briefs followed and sat opposite him. "I got this earlier this evening but wanted to wait until Bunny was asleep before I shared it with you." Dr. Briefs fumbled in his pocket for his cigarettes. Vegeta took the envelope saying, "Not here old man. You can wait." Dr. Briefs returned the cigarettes to his pocket. "The woman you identified was a secretary at Capsule Corp. She worked under Bulma's personal assistant. She helped make the arrangements for Bulma to go the conference. She knew everything, from what car she would take to what route was planned."

Vegeta's face contorted with rage. He knew the blonde had betrayed the family, but the fact that she had been so closely involved in the planning of the kidnapping left his soul on fire. She was ultimately responsible for all that had happened to the heiress. Dr. Brief's cleared his throat. "I will be returning to work to make my presence known before the stockholders as this all hits the news." Vegeta turned to him, "And the blonde?" Dr. Briefs stood and turned towards the hall, "She has been arrested and I will set my lawyers' full attention to the matter. I will have security reevaluate all current employees at Capsule Corporation, I must be able to trust the loyalty of all who work for me." He crossed the living quarters followed by Vegeta. Vegeta returned the envelope to him and noticed a look of satisfaction in the doctor's eyes. He was going to make sure the blonde paid for what she did. He would have his vengeance his way. He opened the door to leave and added, "We will have to keep an eye out for fence jumpers and cameras." Having said his piece he went on his way.

Vegeta returned to the balcony and noticed security on the premises was still elevated. He grinned. "Kami help any who disturb My Mate" he whispered his ominous warning to the dark. He returned inside making sure the doors to the balcony were locked, draped pulled. He went through the entire apartment making sure the same was true for Trunks' room and every other room. He would have to make sure to tell Penny to keep the drapes drawn as to not attract unwanted attention.

He went to his room and retrieved his sleeping attire. He changed in the bathroom. Somehow it seemed disrespectful to change in her presence. Matter of fact, he was unable to bring himself to sleep in the same bed as her, not like this. He took a pillow and blanket and took up a watchful post on the living room sofa.

Sleep came with difficulty. The nightmares did not. Always they were the same, Bulma's bruise and battered body lying before him in the snow and he is not able to help her. He woke with a startle to Trunks climbing up in the coach with him. "You can't sleep either?" he asked him. Trunks rubbed his eyes and shook his head no. Vegeta had reservations about the boy sleeping with him. He was concerned he might hurt him in the middle of a nightmare. Then, he had an idea. "Come on then" he said as he lifted his son to him, holding the way Bunny had shown him. Vegeta inhaled the familiar scent of his son and relaxed a bit, embracing him slightly he carried him to his mother. Trunks' eyes widened, "Can I?" Vegeta sat him down and pulled down the cover to allow him to snuggle against his mother. The child seemed to purr in contentment and Vegeta's heart broke just a little more. He turned to leave and was stopped in his tracks by the slightest "Mmm" that escaped Bulma's lips. Vegeta smiled to himself as he left the door open and returned to his station on the couch.

And so it became the new routine over the next week or so. He found a way to find time to work in minor training with Trunks and himself in the short intervals between Bulma's feedings. Until one day several of the Z Gang stopped by to try and see Bulma. They wanted to check on Bulma but also on Vegeta. He had been very quiet and kept his Ki in check. Even the paparazzi hadn't been able to snap a picture except of the veiled room of Bulma. Vegeta of course refused all, save one. He allowed Chichi audience with his queen in her weakened state. Bunny played hostess to the rest while they wait down stairs. Vegeta was uncertain and untrusting of her reaction to seeing Bulma and left Trunks with his grandmother and to play with his friend, Goten.

Vegeta silently led her to their apartment and opened the door. Penny looked up from her paper and offered a weak smile. There sat Bulma, pale and thin. Chichi froze in the living room and watched as Vegeta went to the refrigerator and retrieved a small can, opened it and poured it into a cup. He crossed the room and knelt next to Bulma and brought the cup to her lips and watched her drink. Penny went to Chichi, "It's ok, you can come in." Chichi absentmindedly walked closer to Bulma. She had never seen her so thin. Come to think of it, Vegeta looked smaller. Her heart filled with sadness. This was really taking a toll on him. There was no doubt his feelings for Bulma, regardless of the gruff and rough exterior, there was more to this man than what met the eyes. Penny left the room, Vegeta didn't like to be watched when he took care of Bulma.

Chichi felt honored that Vegeta allowed her a glimpse of his real self. When Bulma had finished the drink Vegeta sat the remainder on the table as he went to fetch something for Bulma to eat. He sat with his back to Chichi as he began to feed her. When Chichi finally found her voice she offered, "Here, let me help. No offense, but you could use some sleep given the circles under your eyes." Vegeta stiffened, he hadn't realized he had let the mask slip. He paused only a moment, "She still will only eat for me." That's when Chichi noticed Bulma's eyes shift in the direction of Vegeta.

Chichi sat quietly observing the encounter. When Vegeta finished he wiped Bulma's mouth and offered her more of her drink, but she would not open her lips. Without thinking about it Vegeta let a slight sigh escape him in defeat. They were all aware of Bulma's weight loss and were attempting to supplement her diet but Bulma didn't take it well. He cleared the dishes to the kitchenette. Chichi watched as Bulma's eyes followed Vegeta through the room. "She knows your there."

Vegeta turned, "What?" Chichi stood, "Her eyes follow room throughout the room." Vegeta stepped closer, had he missed this. He watched carefully as he walked about, she was right. A smile attempted to form on his face, but all he would permit was a smirk. Chichi picked up the baby food jar on the table and turned it in her hands. "How many does she eat of these?" Confused momentarily by the change in direction of the conversation Vegeta replied before he could filter his statements. "Three jars every two to three hours while awake. Then of course there are these supplements the nurse brought, but she doesn't seem to like them." Vegeta handed the can of supplement to Chichi as he eyes her suspiciously. "You should try graduating her diet to something with more sustenance. There are not enough calories here." Vegeta seemed to contemplate her words. She walked up to Bulma and gave her a quick kiss on her forehead, "Get better soon Bulma. We all miss you." Chichi headed for the door to see herself out.

Vegeta picked up the phone and dialed the old man and told him of the change. Dr. Briefs told Vegeta not to get his hopes up it may only be a reflexive response to movement. Vegeta showered and then instructed Penny to bring two regular dinner trays this evening. Bunny again picked up Trunks to spend time with his grandparents for supper. Penny did not question him and did as he asked and turned to leave. "No. Stay. In case this goes wrong." He took one plate to the counter and chopped up the softer foods. The meat was a little tougher and posed a greater threat of choking her and so he fumbled in the cabinets until he found the blender. Once he blended this chicken down to a step above pureed he returned to Bulma at the table. He carefully took a small amount of the soft vegetable he had cut and placed them in her mouth. Bulma's tongue began to move and then her teeth. She was attempting to chew the food. Vegeta smirked, perhaps they could safely upgrade her diet. Penny sat in amazement that he had come to the conclusion to add calories in this manner. It was perfect. When dinner was finished Vegeta looked around and smirked. She had eaten everything including the cake. As Penny collected the dishes to return them to the main kitchen and fetch Trunks Vegeta stopped her. "You will explain how this was done to her mother so she may repeat the process." She nodded her head in agreement and left. She had learned after the first few days it was best to try not to talk to the man, things were smoother that way.

Vegeta looked upon his mate. She was indeed pale. He encouraged her to stand as he walked with her to the balcony. She could use some light and exercise. He pulled her in close and levitated easily off the balcony to the gardens below. Tonight he would take her for a walk in the gardens. As they walked her eyes never left his.

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