Disclaimer: Hi everyone and hope you had a great summer. BIGGEST APOLOGIES for not updating until now. I could give you a lot of reasons but really all I can do is say I'm really sorry and that it won't happen again. Thanks to all those who've waited and are going to give me a second chance. As always only the original characters and plot lines belong to moi.

Eruption to Falling

"Quiet." Vegeta snapped, tracing the imprint of a man's hand on her cheek, his eyes intensely focused as he tried to concentrate on getting himself under control before he let his feelings slip out. He wouldn't let anyone, least of all the onna see how the sight of her harmed caused his traitorous emotions to feel things he wouldn't ever acknowledge. Looking at what had been done to her didn't help things and he couldn't seem to look away. "And you didn't answer my question, woman."

"Yes I did. Believe me after the damn looking over they gave me I could give you a list several pages long of various injuries." Bulma muttered, her eyes remaining closed so that she could simply enjoy his touch. He was probably glaring at her and that would ruin it.

"You required medical attention? This is how you look AFTER they helped you?" Vegeta demanded to know.

"Well I think it was standard since it was a sexual assault. That and they needed pictures for their records and stuff." Now that had been embarrassing. She was as liberal as the next but letting someone take pictures of the bruises and marks on her body, her naked body in some cases hadn't been fun.

Sexual assault, Vegeta thought to himself. Had she been..." Eyes widening Vegeta leaned down and grabbing fabric had the nightgown ripped in two down the center as easily as if he were unzipping something. Ignoring her yelp of protest Vegeta stared at the bruised and marked flesh, scratch marks by and on her breasts as though they'd been clawed at. Everything that had been done was there in various shades of purples, blacks and other bruise tones.

"Vegeta...?" Bulma said slowly, her eyes widening at the look on his face as he stared at her body, too surprised by what he'd don to even put her arms in front to cover. He looked..she'd never seen him look like that before. He looked...almost like he did every time he was reminded that Goku was stronger. Half angry..and half pain?

"Did..did..did he...?"

"Did he?" Bulma began, bowled over at Vegeta's near stuttering when his meaning hit home. He was asking if she'd been raped. "No. He would have but you aren't looking at any man's victim. I kicked his ass...he just got in some serious blows before hand. My head is pretty hard but I'm afraid his bat was harder."

"He'll die for this. He'll be begging for it before I'm even close to finishing with him." Vegeta hissed, his eyes moving to meet hers, the black eyes flashing with rage and a dark intent that would have made even the worst scum of humanity quiver in fear. "I swear it."

"Vegeta...he's been caught. He's behind bars where he can't hurt anyone." Reaching out, as painful as it was Bulma took one of his hands or tried to. Since it refused to move from its white knuckle hold all she could do is cup it in her own. "I don't want you to go hunting for him." As much as she wanted him dead, to suffer as she knew Vegeta could make him suffer...it wouldn't be right. She didn't want any more blood on Vegeta's hands, especially because of her.

"He hurt you." Was Vegeta's simple reply, making it clear he had no intention of letting it go.

"Vegeta..."

"I've been on enough conquered planets to see the aftermath of rape. What can be done to a woman, left to the mercy of someone stronger then her. If you had been any less then what you are..that could have been you. There is nothing I could do to this human that would begin to make retribution in my mind for what he would have done to you. You can't stop me."

"But I can ask you not to." Was Bulma's quite reply, her eyes holding his firmly. Time to use her head since he obviously wasn't. A part of her was bursting with happiness, the idea that he would do this for her as heady as any drug. This wasn't about sex or possession, he was simply upset because someone had hurt her. He was championing her for her sake and not for any reward or ideal. After all Vegeta didn't really have ideals outside the fighting ring. But as much as the idea of her slaying her dragon...it wasn't what was right. It wasn't justice. "But if you do...well I understand. Of course you realize if you do...I'll take it as a sign that you really, really care about me."

"What?" Blinking at her in surprise Vegeta stared, not quite sure what to say.

"Well think about it. If you do this...well it's because you care. So if you kill this guy then I'm going to have to assume it was because of me. And I'll tell everyone." Bulma said with a faint smile, putting a lot of emphasis on everyone. Watching his eyes darken while his color paled slightly she saw her meaning hit home. There was nothing Vegeta hated more then ANYONE thinking he had feelings like everyone else, especially soft emotions.

"I don't care. What would give you such a stupid idea." Vegeta snarled, instinctively backing away a couple of steps. "I was...I mean...I was simply going to kill him because he's hurt you badly enough that..you won't be able to maintain my machines. The pathetic human bastard is going to cost me valuable training time. Of course I want him to suffer for that."

"Right. Of course." Bulma said with a nod though she couldn't quite hide a small smile. How did she know he would say something along those lines? God but she knew him too well. "Well in that case you better get out of here and let me recover..so that I can heal faster and repair your machines."

"Right, I will." Vegeta replied gruffly, surprised that the woman hadn't thrown something at him. She would have normally. Was she too injured to even throw a pillow at him? She always had enough energy to yell at him at the very least but she was just tugging her covers up like nothing worth getting angry over had happened. What was wrong with her? Had the ice on her head been for a more serious wound then a simple bump?

"Night, night." Bulma said as she closed her eyes, practically feeling the confusion rolling off of him. Well let him spend the rest of the night trying to figure things up. Maybe she'd get lucky and he'd come to the conclusion that maybe he cared a little more then he'd thought. But since it was Vegeta she wasn't counting on it. His head was harder then platinum.

"Do you..need anything..before I go? To help you recover faster, woman?" Vegeta asked, somewhat hesitant to go. After all should she be left alone? He could have sworn that he'd heard somewhere that human skulls were so fragile even the slightest injury could easily become serious. Someone should really be here watching over her. Shouldn't they?

"Nothing you can give me." Was Bulma's reply, barely able to keep her mouth from twitching. Now wasn't this something to write in her journal. The first time Vegeta was actually hesitant to leave her where sex wasn't even remotely possible. And who said you couldn't change a man if you really, really tried?

"What do you mean? What can't I give you?" Vegeta demanded to know, insulted at the idea. Anything anyone else could do for her he could certainly do. He'd patched himself up plenty over the years. He knew more about injures and medical treatments then she did, no question.

"Don't worry about it, Vegeta." Bulma said with an innocent sigh as she closed her eyes. "Please turn the light off when you leave. Thanks."

"I'll leave when you answer my question." Was his stubborn answer. He wasn't moving until he had his answer.

"Well...no, it's a human thing. Saiyans can't do it."

"There is nothing a human can do that a Saiyan can't." Vegeta growled, the perfect picture of a very insulted alpha male. The very idea that the woman actually thought there was something her species could do better just floored him.

"This they can't. You said so." Bulma replied sweetly, enjoying herself and the warm, fuzzy feelings she was getting. Despite his present behavior..he'd cared. Not that that was going to stop her from playing with his head.

"When did I ever say there was something a Saiyan couldn't do? The very idea is ludicrous. You must have suffered brain damage tonight, easily enough to understand considering how weak and feeble you humans are." Vegeta shot back, having moved to stand over her bed once more. Looking down at her with a large scowl he could clearly sense her amusement and didn't share the sentiment.

"But this you can't." Was her reply. "I know you can't so you might as well go."

"Well tell me what it is and then I'll prove to you I can do it, stupid woman!."

"Cuddle."

"Cuddle?" Vegeta repeated, the words foreign and a strange one to his ears.

"Yes, cuddle. Something no Saiyan can do but which humans are pros at. So you see you can't help me." Bulma said with a self satisfied smirk on her face even though it hurt her jaw and cheek to do it.

"What does cuddling have to do with you getting better?" Vegeta demanded, side stepping the main issue which was the fact that she was right. Saiyans didn't cuddle. They didn't even have a word meaning cuddle in their vocabulary. And really, wasn't cuddle such a stupid word? A stupid as well as weak and useless gesture? Of course his race didn't know how to cuddle. Who would want to learn such a pathetically idiotic skill?

"It would make me feel better." Bulma objected, not about to let this go. "I'm bound to have nightmares tonight and if someone were here, with me I wouldn't be scared or as scared. Someone holding me maybe wouldn't help my bruises and scratches but I'd feel better and therefore get a better night's sleep which in turn would help my overall recovery. When you get hurt I stick by YOU while you're sleeping as you'll recall."

"I don't recall asking you too." Vegeta replied silkily, scolding at her. "And I certainly don't need anyone cuddling me."

"Well obviously though I bet you do have nightmares..whether you'll admit it or not. Now admit that I'm right and then go."

"Admit that you're right about what?" Vegeta asked, being deliberately obtuse.

"Admit that cuddling is something that Saiyans can't do and humans can." Bulma reminded him sweetly, more then a little smug as she waited for him to eat his words. "If you thick headed Neanderthals ever tried you'd likely end up killing the other person."

"I'll admit nothing of the sort. Just because we've never done something doesn't mean that we couldn't if we wanted to." Vegeta shot back stubbornly. He'd go down laughing and proclaiming that idiot Krillin stronger before he'd ever admit there was something his species couldn't do better then the human race.

"This you couldn't. I know you can't."

"I think I would know what I can and can't do, woman." Vegeta responded, starting to get more then a little testy. There was nothing he hated more then being told he couldn't do something, least of all when humans were capable of doing that something. It was one thing for him to refuse to do it and an entirely other thing to be told he couldn't.

"Well I say you couldn't do it. Even if your life depended upon it." Was her definite and unwavering answer. The very idea of Vegeta cuddling with anyone was laughable. He was more likely to blow a person up then touch him or her. He was a very hands off sort of person normally unless he wanted something.

"We'll just see about that." Vegeta said just as definite as he turned and walking around her bed sat down and began taking off his boots that he hadn't bothered to remove earlier.

"What are you doing?" Bulma wanted to know, plainly confused.

"Proving you wrong, as always. Eventually it will get into your head that when I say my kind is superior in every way that I mean exactly that." Was his reply as he kicked them off and removed his shirt. Shoving back the bed spread Vegeta slid under the covers then laying down on his side to face her. "Come here."

"Are you serious?" Bulma said with her mouth gapping open. She'd meant to play with his pride and ego a bit..she'd never dreamed he'd actually go so far as to prove her wrong. Then again with the size of his ego..she really should have expected him to dig in his heels and insist otherwise.

"I said come here and I mean come here, woman." Was his demanding reply.

Not about to look a gift horse in the mouth Bulma carefully got on her side and scooted over slightly, his arm coming around to pull her the rest of the way against him, his arm then retreating to his side instinctively. "You're supposed to put your arms around me." Bulma informed him.

"I was getting to that. I was waiting for you to settle into a comfortable position." Vegeta lied, having had no clue where to start. She'd cuddle against him before, in her sleep but he'd never made any effort to encourage her, much less reciprocate the action. After all, why would he? He'd have already gotten what he wanted from her. Why would he need to cuddle with her? Why would he want to? If he had his arms around her it had nothing to do with providing comfort. But he'd said he'd do this and so he would. He..just need to try and think more like a human, as much as that turned his stomach. Carefully sliding one arm under her while the other slid up to rest on her hip he shifted so that she was plastered against him with his arms holding her close. "See?"

"You'll run as soon as I go to sleep. You always do." Bulma replied matter of fact, closing her eyes once more as she settled against him. She always felt so safe in his arms, a joke really when you considered how easily those arms could squeeze until her rib cage was crushed. Then again maybe that was the appeal. Knowing he was that strong but that he was also strong enough to hold her gently too.

"I don't run." Vegeta shot back, insult in his voice. "I simply leave your room through your balcony and return to my own living quarters."

"And you do that why? I mean my bed is definitely more comfortable then that hard mattress you insisted on. I'm surprised you don't have serious back problems by now."

"Would you rather I stayed and have your parents find out?" He reminded her pointedly.

"I wouldn't care if they knew." Bulma replied, surprising herself as well as him. In all likelihood the idea of her parents knowing should have bothered her but deep down it really didn't. She wasn't ashamed of her relationship him, hell she could use some help explaining what she saw in him. "They'd be surprised but its not like they'd kick you out or anything. You're like one of the family now. And before you say you aren't it doesn't matter what you think. We can think of you as one of us even if you don't feel the same. Hell I know you don't feel the same."

"One of the family?" Vegeta repeated, the idea a disturbing one. He'd never had a family, had never wanted one. But according to her he had one..whether he wanted it or not. Her father was a weak, scatterbrained simpleton who wouldn't hurt a fly. Her mother was a bubble headed blonde with little to no common sense and a strange obsession with clothes and fashion. Bulma was...well she was...he wasn't quite sure any more. They were his family? What did that mean?

"Yup. Good night, Vegeta." Bulma answered then with a faint yawn snuggled close and within minutes was asleep.

Half way through the night Vegeta heard footsteps coming and sliding away from Bulma and out of the bed he hid in the shadows as he watched Bulma's door open slowly. He smelled her before he saw her as he watched Bulma's mother come into the room on tippy toes, making her way over to fuss with Bulma's covers and kiss her on the forehead before turning around and leaving again. Once he was sure she wasn't coming back he left the shadows and returned to her bed, sliding in and once again gathering her close against him.

Having been woken up by her mother's fussing Bulma had assumed Vegeta had left her when she found herself alone. She hadn't even heard him move when he was once again sliding under the covers, his arms wrapping around her to draw her against his warmth once more. He'd stayed, she though dreamily as she closed her eyes once more. He hadn't left her. Settling back to sleep she awoke once again to the early rays of dawn. At first she couldn't believe it but her senses slowly accepted the fact that not only had he come back after her mom came to check but he'd stayed. He'd stayed the whole night. For the first time..he was still there when she'd awoke. A smile blooming across her face she wanted to hug him but knew that would wake him. And then he'd leave. Better to stay as she was and simply enjoy the unexpected gift. Settling back into sleep, she didn't even feel her heart begin to fall.