Chapter seven; don't forget, reviews make me super happy! :)

Sorry for taking so long to update.

Zarbon's blood dripped onto my face and he cried out in triumph. I was caught; trapped. Vegeta's plan for me to escape had fallen to pieces and I wondered where that had left him.

Zarbon slowly carried my squirming body back to Frieza's ship. I dug at him with my fingernails, trying to kick and punch him. In the end I probably looked like a big two-year-old throwing a temper tantrum. I recognized where he was now taking me. I was going back to my cell.

I inhaled deeply enjoying the last few breaths of clean air I would probably enjoy for a long time. The air got thick and dusty like somebody's basement as we got closer. I remembered how much I hated it down here.

I got tossed into the cell and Zarbon slammed the door shut behind me. I pulled myself over to the far corner and brought my knees up to my chest and began to cry and rock myself. I couldn't believe the terrible luck I had, had.

First I got off the table with all the pokey needles and then I had run down the hall and got out in some big escape effort, and for what? I just got caught and tossed back in this dump. I really hated my life.

A few minutes later and I found myself unable to produce anymore tears; and besides I should be careful, we didn't get much to drink around here and I didn't need to be blowing it all off with the water works from my eyes.

I got up and took several sips of water from the sink faucet even though it probably wasn't the best quality. It tasted a lot like copper; like blood. I ignored it either way it was water.

The blanket I had slept on before was still on the floor so I tiptoed over and sprawled out on it. The floor was cold like I remembered and I really wished there was another blanket. I reached my hand up and gently felt at the hair tie that saved my life. I traced it with my fingertips and made a mental promise that I wouldn't lose it again.

I sighed and rubbed my forearms to get warm. Might as well get comfortable, I thought. I suddenly had a stray though and wondered what had happened to Vegeta. Did they catch him? Did he get away? Or did he die? I really hoped he didn't die…

Vegeta was kind to me compared to everyone else around here and that's not really easy to come by. Footsteps in the distance interrupted my thoughts and I found myself backing up to the far wall. I prayed it wasn't Zarbon coming back; or worse Frieza.

I crossed my fingers but my luck was, of course, not happening for me today. Zarbon came to the edge of my cell with-

"Vegeta, you rotten traitor. You'll rot in this cell along with this Earth girl!" Zarbon muttered before chucking his lifeless body in the cell. I whimpered and Zarbon looked over. I held my breath.

"Oh, shut up!" Zarbon came over and gave me a swift kick in the side before closing up the cell and leaving.

I rubbed at my now aching side and crawled over to Vegeta's body. So he had obviously got himself caught like me. I flipped him over onto his back and placed my ear against his chest listening for his breathing and heartbeat. His heart and lungs sounded steady, in a perfect rhythm like they should be.

I pulled his heavy body on top of the blanket and leaned his head up to the ceiling. Guys are so cute when they're sleeping… I thought absently.

I ripped off a piece of my T-shirt and dampened it with sink water. I came back over by Vegeta's side and got on my knees.

I stroked Vegeta's grimy face with the cool cloth. He didn't wake up even after I decided to brush his hair. I pulled my fingers through his long black strands; they were soft and I felt a little weird doing it to Vegeta but it didn't really matter he was asleep and wouldn't ever remember me doing it. Touching people's hair has always calmed me down.

I remember when I was younger and my mom had decided to be a hairdresser I used to help her and it was fun. I had a bunch of great memories there.

I looked at Vegeta's tan perfect face. I let my fingertips stroke his jaw line and follow the straight edge of his eyebrows. I gently touched his dark eyelashes. His eyelashes were darker and longer than my short little ones. Eyelashes that got wasted on a boy…

I got closer and I felt my knee land on something soft. Instantly I backed up only to find it was just his hand. His fingernails were kept brutally short but they looked sturdy. My little fingernails managed to get chewed to nothing more than stubs because I had been so nervous.

This cell had no windows but I got the overwhelming sense that it was dark outside now. Jeez I didn't even know what time it was when I got off the needle table. I was tired and now bored. Vegeta moving into my cell had lost its excitement. If I could get my hands on a coffee machine I could drink like a pot. Well that's not exactly true; when I drink coffee it's mostly milk and sugar with just a little coffee.

I tried sleeping on the cold floor with no luck. My gooseflesh felt like needles stabbing me and I was shivering so violently it felt like I was on a massage chair. I felt awkward and embarrassed to do this but I moved over onto the blanket Vegeta was on. I shoved him over so it would be less awkward and so I wouldn't have to touch him.

Long story short, I woke up pretty much hugging his warm body. It was so nice and cozy; it almost made me feel like home. Vegeta smelled like home, he smelled like minty toothpaste and pine trees. I inhaled deeply before sitting up.

At the edge of the cell were double rations of food and water. I felt excitement spark within me. Water! Vegeta was still unconscious so I walked over and took one of the tiny glasses of water. The floor was freezing and made my toes cringe.

The water was cold too and I enjoyed the sensation as cool fluid ran down my dry scratchy throat. I heard footsteps behind me and nearly jumped out of my skin.

Vegeta had gotten to his feet and was walking over. I gulped nervously, was he angry? I really hoped he wouldn't blame me for ending up here.

"It failed," Vegeta's eyebrows scrunched together as he grimaced.

"What failed?" I asked curiously.

"The plan to get the hell out of here!" His voice rose.

"Yes…" I paused, "We could still try again right?"

He gave me a funny look and then shook his head.

"No, we messed up bad. Frieza will never trust me again and now I'm stuck in this damn cell!" He kicked the bars with force that could shatter bones. He looked startled. Vegeta's eyes widened in shock as he said,

"My power has been weakened! Damn you Frieza!" Vegeta spun around on his heel and faced me, "You! Bulma, right? How long have I been here!? That freakin lizard sucked my power down!"

I felt blood drain from my face, "You've been here since yesterday," I answered.

He growled in detest.

"What do you mean Frieza sucked your power?" I asked feeling braver. He stamped his heel into the ground.

"Frieza has a machine built by frail minded humans, much like yourself that takes away power. It stings like a mother and Frieza will keep draining me every single day so I can't regain the strength to take him! Can't you see it!?" Vegeta asked, "We're screwed!"

"Oh… I'm sorry," I said feeling awkward.

"You don't have to be…" He said through gritted teeth.

I finished my glass of water and set it back on the tray of food. For food there was a cup with what looked like chunky mayonnaise in it. I grabbed the cup and tried a little.

I retched. It tasted bitter like coffee but reeked of cheese.

"You liking the menu here?" Vegeta laughed. I frowned at him and put the food back. I wasn't hungry anymore.

"They should be taking me soon to drain my power," Vegeta stated dully before turning to face the wall. I walked over feeling sort of shy.

Vegeta turned to face me and I knew it was too late to turn back. I leaned forward and hugged him really tight. It took a second for him to respond, at first I thought he wouldn't hug me back but he did. And I got a strong wave of that minty-pine fresh scent.

I backed away and looked at him with a blush on my face.

"What was that for?" He demanded a little softer that he usually did.

"I always thought hugs made people feel better," I whispered and shrugged my shoulder.

Just then Zarbon came in and dragged Vegeta away. Vegeta tried to stand a fight but was pretty pathetic thanks to the lack of power from Frieza. I would be lying if I said I didn't feel sorry for him.

Good? Bad? I tried to keep it sweet, so I hope you liked it