Bulma

I stared at your arm, realizing that I had stepped extremely too far. The discovery of how angry you could get by words almost frightened me, and I knew you could do much worse. I was scared…Because for a moment, I had thought you were going to hit me. But I could not let you see that.

Against my will, the tears gathered in my eyes. I prayed to Kami it wouldn't break because if the tears fell, then so would I. And the promise I made to myself to forget you would be broken. I felt my body shake no matter how hard I tried to control. My mouth began try and my mouth wouldn't close, the pain in my jaw was easily made nothing to this…this…

"Why?" I asked. "Why are you angry at the possibility of me finding someone else to marry and to father my child?"

"Because," you said, your eyes downcast, "He's my child."

"But…you don't want it. You regret it…you regretted everything." I reminded desperately. If you were going to be an out of control man…a man full of rage, then I wouldn't want you fathering our child. Even if you had the right…no…

I continued, "You're an asshole, you know that? You don't want the responsibility, and yet you don't want anyone else having it, too. Do you want me raise this child on my own? Without you? Is that what it is? Because this is some sort of payback for the night we had? So, it's my entire fault? I'm to blame?" Every sentence I said only fueled my anger in me. "Well, you know what? I am going to raise this child however I want to. You will not have a say in this because you are nothing. You hear me? Nothing. Just like you will be in our baby's house…nothing!"

With that, I spun around and walked away. I didn't turn around to give one glance…I was never going to look at you again. The very sight of you sickened me more that my morning sickness.

After closing the door into my bedroom and locking it, I closed all my windows and pulled on the curtains to darken my room. When I thought the mood was perfect, I jumped into my bed and cried. I screamed into my pillow curses.

I cried for me, I cried for my child, I cried for my frustration…I cried for everything. I cried because Yamcha isn't here to comfort me, whether as a friend or a boyfriend. I cried because even though I'm an adult and I love my parents, I can't tell them how much I'm suffering at this point. I cried because there was no one here…Goku…Krillen…nobody…

I cried for my incapability to control my emotions… I cried because you were right, it was just lust…we lusted over each other. We didn't love each other. We were not a perfect match. And I cried because I believed it was so.

But not once did I cry for you…I wouldn't allow my tears the bother…

I had to get a hold of myself. I am Bulma Briefs, nothing brought me down, and not even those aliens back on Namek who were easily fooled into believing there were thousands of dragonballs when they were simply eggs of a giant sea creature. I survived many adventures on Namek, on the way to Namek, and here too. I went through more than a regular woman did, even if it was nothing to all your adventures.

Each adventure built my character into a strong woman who would be able to withstand danger…well some of it…And I was friends with the protectors…Goku, Krillen, Tien, Piccolo, Yamcha. So when in danger, I'm the one to keep my cool and come up with a safe plan for everyone and myself.

So why…why is it I lose my control with you? Why am I not myself when I'm around you?

You're right…it's just lust… That may start a relationship…but it isn't the main ingredient. So was this…was this just a one night fling? A moment we had? Driven by lust? Was that it?

Once I was done crying, I could only lay there, staring off into space. I have cried too long to think… I was just…lonely…

The phone on my bedside table rang. I let it ring for a few more times before finally picking it up. "What?"

"Ms…Ms…Briefs?"

"Yeah."

"Um…a friend is here to see you…Yamcha…"

"Send him away."

"Ok ma'am." I could hear Candee speak distantly to the guest and then she yelled. "Sir! Where are you going?! Sir--- Security!"

Aah…Yamcha wouldn't listen. "Candee!"

"Yes Ms. Briefs?"

"Forget the security guards. Just let him come."

"I'm sorry, Ms. Briefs."

I hung up and waited for the arrival of Yamcha.

Vegeta

After that last encounter, I couldn't seem to deal with myself mainly because you were almost right. I didn't want to have a child…but neither did I want someone else fathering the baby…I didn't want someone to be with the child to watch her or him grow up…I didn't want someone nursing the child back to health when he or she is sick…I didn't want to watch from the sidelines, but neither did I want to take part in the game. Am I really that selfish? Am I that horrible?

I'm a monster…

I sank into this darkness with the realization of just how shallow I am. This grip of guilt grabbed my black heart, digging its sharp fingers into it. I didn't feel sorry for myself, I hated myself. I was so despicable that pitying me wasn't even worth it. I wasn't worth pitying. Even I didn't pity myself.

And pitying wasn't the thing to do. I had to set things right again. I'm going to be a father after all. Maybe it won't be so bad after all. I mean, I'll have to wake up in the middle of the night if it cries…I might have to change diapers…I might have to lessen my training hours for the baby…wash it…feed it… So much responsibility.

It was going to be tough…but it's what a father must do. First step: apologize. I never said sorry in my life unless used in sarcasm. I never meant one…so I knew it was going to be a bitch.

I walked up to your room, trying to come up with words to say. But as I neared your door, all the words just seemed to disappear. I was…nervous and…scared to be rejected of forgiveness. Then again, I have rejected you too many times as well…maybe I'll deserve it.

Just as I came up to your door, I heard voices. I recognized yours and your ex-significant other.

"Y-You're what?!" he exploded. Ah, I came just in time.

"Pregnant…" you said lowly and almost sadly.

"W-W-What…I…I don't get it! I mean, I've only be gone for like--what?--a few weeks? And I come back and find out your pregnant? How could this happen?"

You came to your defense very quickly. "You were gone for a long time and I thought you weren't coming back and--"

"So, what? You were lonely? You needed another…body? Bulma, we've broken up so many times in the past, why should the last one be any different?"

"I don't know!" you cried. "I understand you're angry, but…I…I don't know what to say…"

Silence. "So…who is it?"

"Who is who?"

"You know what I mean!"

"The father?"

"Yes…who is it?"

Silence.

"Bulma," he said very calmly but I heard a tint of fear in it, "It can't be…no…it can't be Vegeta…is it?"

Silence.

"Oh, Kami! Bulma! Of all men, why him?! Why Vegeta?! Were you that desperate for another man? I mean after a few days I'm gone, you actually have sex with Vegeta? I've never had sex with you Bulma, but you choose to give your…your virginity to a man after a few days from a break up?"

"I regret that night…" you said, sounding as if there was no emotion in your voice. The curt emotionless statement almost made me angry…but then again, I had said the same thing…

"You do?...Why?"

"Because…I made love--no, it was not love…it was just…sex…plain sex…fueled by lust and loneliness. I had sex with Vegeta because I was so damn lonely without you and I sought…warmth in his arms…and that was a big mistake." I heard the angry regret in your voice.

"You don't love Vegeta?"

Silence. "What does it matter? I have a baby, and he refuses to father it."

"What?! No way!" he said, more angry than surprised. "Why not?"

"He doesn't want it, Yamcha." I heard the sadness in your voice, and I heard you sniff, taking breath quick and short. You were crying. "H-He doesn't want the c-child."

Nothing came out of the man's mouth. All I heard were your miserable sobs. I wasn't sure if he was comforting you or just simply watching you.

"I love you, Bulma." I heard the man say finally. My body stiffened.

"Why do you love me, Yamcha? After all I've done, I don't deserve it." You choked out.

"I love you, Bulma, not like a lover would with another anymore. What has happened between you and Vegeta has basically ruined our relationship as a boyfriend and girlfriend. But…we still have a friendship. And if you'll let me, I'd love to help you take care of this child…as a friend."

"Really?"

I was surprised just as you are. After all that has happened, I would guess he'd run away and never come back permanently. But he was actually going to help you…

"Bulma, we're friends, remember? We've been through a lot that I don't think some measly affair should break what we have. Friends? Still?--And forever?"

When you talked, I knew you were smiling. It was the lift of your voice that I could tell. "Friends."

I couldn't take it. I was mad--no, furious! I was furious beyond words. I felt like breaking his little neck and feeding his body to a vicious race I once encountered in space. Or maybe I should kill him…slowly…

But that would only take away the father figure for our child. I would be taking away someone that is willing to take care of the child even if it wasn't his own; even if he had been cheated on. I know he was fickle, but he never actually slept with someone, I don't believe. No…he may flirt, but even if he did so, he still loved you.

I had no right in interfering…

Just as I was about to turn around, the door opened. There you stood, a smile frozen to your face. But I saw the joy slip away from your eyes at my sight. Behind you stood a very angry…human. You've said his name so many times, why can't I get it right?

"Vegeta," you whispered.

And then it happened. I don't what it was. Maybe it was because I saw you again…or maybe it was because I finally realized that raising a baby is not only my job, it was going to be a privilege…or maybe it was because I felt like I was losing, and I hate losing…or maybe I was just jealous, plus that little mixture of anger and smug look on that stupid man's face. I don't what it was, but whatever it is made me decide that I wasn't going to stand and watch as my child grew before my very own eyes without my help. I wasn't going to allow anyone else to be a father figure to my child but me. The child is mine after all, and I don't care if I rejected it once, or if you'll reject me.

I am Vegeta, the prince of all Saiy-jins. I will not take no for an answer. And I will not be defeated in this battle of who will be father of this child by some weak human. There shouldn't and won't be a battle actually. The child's mine. That's final.

i got tired of yamcha-bashing stories. he's my least favorite character in the cartoon, but still. oh, and sorry if vegeta seemed out of character for a moment. we all are when we're love, right?