Disclaimer: All things associated with Dragon Ball Z belong solely to Akira Toriyama.

Something in the Water

Remedy

Laying on her side, her hair curling and still vaguely damp, Bulma stared at the dip between the Saiyan's shoulder blades and the way the muscles crossed over them. A nearby planet emitted a soft glow like that of moonlight, and everything was bathed in a hazy purple hue, including the silvery scars that adorned his proud shoulders and back.

Her nose itched, but she refused to scratch it for fear of waking him. Sometimes she thought that he could hear her blink, but the slow rise and fall of his chest seemed to say otherwise.

How had he gotten those scars? They looked smooth and level, not raised or bubbly like other fighters, not recessed and jagged like Yamcha's had been. She realized that she hadn't noticed them when she had clung to him for dear life during sex.

Bulma blushed as her eyes trailed down his spine. No, they hadn't been noticeable, but now she had the overwhelming urge to trace each and every one with her nimble fingers and soothe them away, or at least memorize their placement.

Why was she thinking this way? Hours ago she had been mad enough to rip out his eyes for the fact that he basically flung her to the wolves; now all she wanted to do was curl into his side and feel safe again.

...Vegeta made her feel safe?

Well it wasn't as though he hadn't come to her rescue. She recalled flashes of pain on his face, bulging tendons, and the suffering in his voice. He had sacrificed himself for her on some level. Refusing to let those memories wash over her again, Bulma turned her thoughts to the way he had held her as he cleaned her in the shower. Who knew he could be so gentle? He had cradled her like a child, rubbing comforting circles into her skin. She had the sense that he had been simply doing what he thought was correct, not actually trying to make her feel better, but still. Anything from Vegeta that didn't involve swearing and blowing things up was a miracle.

And here he was, lying in bed with her. He hadn't even protested. Maybe he had forgotten their little deal about her rearranging her sleeping habits; maybe he thought it was unnecessary after they had had sex twice; maybe he kind of liked her.

Bulma nearly snorted to herself. He may enjoy having sex with her -- if that -- but Vegeta most certainly didn't like anyone. The most she could say was that he merely tolerated her presence more than others'.

As the ship moved through space, the light began to filter out, and in a few moments Bulma was plunged into a much deeper darkness, without the benefit of the lavender moon.

The frail human shivered, her hair standing on end. Images from that day flooded her mind, and she struggled to stay on top of it. Shivering moved to shaking, and Bulma couldn't stop the little tremors that wracked her chest.

Through the darkness she saw the edge of his shoulder stiffen. He was awake.

Guiltily, she peered up as he rolled over, the whites of his eyes barely showing in the dark. She knew the disgruntled look that would be on his lips, and as her eyes adjusted she began to see it.

He lay on his side facing her now, eyes sizing her up. His mind slowly awakened as his Saiyan sensed took in an overload of information, and he recalled the afternoon before. He couldn't have been asleep but for three or so hours. Swallowing to relieve the dryness of his throat, Vegeta finally said hoarsely, "Did you even go to sleep?"

Still shaking and blushing in the darkness, Bulma whispered out a strangled 'no' as she locked her eyes to his chest.

Evaluating her for a moment, noting the temperature of the room, and deciding that she was shivering from a mental state rather than a need for heat, Vegeta grunted and rolled back over, putting his back to her again as he closed his eyes.

Bulma's mouth dropped open at his disregard for her, and she couldn't decide whether to sock him in the shoulder or to beg for his attention. She knew he had no interest in comforting her, but she felt like... maybe... he would understand.

Feeling her heart pounding in her chest, Bulma took a chance and inched closer to him until her breath fanned his nape.

Vegeta's eyes popped open as he felt her move, and he nearly jumped out of his skin when her silky fingers slid up between his shoulder blades. He opened his mouth to speak, but she interrupted him: "Vegeta," she whispered, feeling his muscles tense unbearably beneath her unexpected touch, "You've died before."

She hadn't thought that his shoulders could get any tighter. "What the fuck do you want?" he hissed, hunching over to show his displeasure even though her touch was utterly electrical to him.

Bulma Briefs was not so easily deterred. "Something in me hurts that I can't -- I can't even explain -- that I didn't know was there," she breathed, her fingers curling against his bronze skin, "And you... you know, don't you? There's that irrepressible urge to scream, but you don't know what for because you're alive but -- who knows? In the next second you could be -- And all that, that pain..."

Bulma trailed off as tears welled up in her eyes. She gulped, encouraged by the fact that he hadn't yet admonished her. Vegeta, in fact, was staring wildly around, listening intently to every word she spoke. He had always thought her an insipid idiot, but perhaps... perhaps there was more than he supposed if she could understand...

"You saw the darkness," she continued softly, her breath brushing his skin and spreading warmth, "But the real darkness, when you can't breath and your eyes are open but you can't see... That horrible pulling sensation in your chest as you fall away from yourself... I can't -- I don't ever want to feel that again."

Vegeta cringed as he heard a strangled sob escape from her chest, and her hand pressed firmly into his back.

The words tumbled out of her mouth. "I can't sleep because I'm afraid I won't wake up -- or I'll be dreaming of everything all over again. I can't do it... I can't..." Gulping, Bulma felt a tear drip down her nose. "Why did you do that to me?" she whispered, barely audible in her pain.

Something felt tangled and crushed in his chest, and Vegeta realized in horror that he felt guilty. "I didn't -- that was not intentional," he muttered, embarrassed as his eyes stared down at his pillow.

It was a minute or so before she spoke again, and Vegeta had to restrain himself from turning over and shaking her as she whispered:

"But you came to save me."

Eyes widening, Vegeta sat silently in anticipation of her next words.

Bulma watched his back, seeing his chest expand in what she recognized as concentration as he held his breath. So he was listening? She smiled wryly as her tears began to cease. Sniffling, she pressed her face into his lower shoulder and felt him jump. "Some freaky knight in shining armor you are," she chuckled morbidly.

Vegeta froze, unsure of what to do. Unbridled viciousness or passion he could deal with, but gentility was completely out of his realm.

Bulma rubbed her nose against his skin, smelling his masculine sweat and feeling that sense of safety and comfort seep into her very bones. This was what she needed: to be sure of her place and curled next to the baddest man in all the galaxies. No one and nothing could touch her here, and she slid both hands up to clutch his shoulders.

Flames licked down his abdomen as she cuddled into his back, and suddenly he felt like he couldn't contain himself. The Prince of all Saiyans didn't have very many outlets for his emotions.

In a flash she found herself pinned beneath him as he leaned over her and peered questioningly into her face, and her mouth popped open into a little 'O' in surprise. "What do you want?" he groused, eyebrows snapping together in confusion.

Thankfully, Bulma recognized his befuddlement at her affectionate moves. "I -- I don't know," she whispered back, feeling the pleasant weight of his hips on hers. "But I feel... okay... close to you."

Vegeta didn't respond, but his eyes roved over her face.

Bulma lifted herself up on her elbows so that her face was a mere inch or so from his. "You just -- you just settle down that part of me that hurts so much," she confessed, her gaze dropping to his lips. "And I don't even know why. I mean, you pretty much insult me constantly..."

Her eyes met his again as she heard his breath slip heavily from his lips. Dark and perceptive, his gaze settled on her unwaveringly, and she could literally feel him judging her worth.

"But if you make me feel safe," she continued, eyes returning to his mouth again as she got the barest bit closer to him, "I mean, I'll do anything to be okay again... and if you're the key..."

Vegeta felt his stomach drop out as she lifted her face, letting the side of her nose brush his.

"Then I'm good with that," she breathed before she barely let her lips brush across his, petal-soft skin sliding over his mouth.

Vegeta leaned frozen above her as she taunted him, as she breathed into his mouth and seemed to suck out his very soul.

Damn succubus.

He let her work her magic, and as the seconds ticked by she grew bolder. No longer fearing his rejection, she pressed her mouth to his, slowly moving her lips to open him up.

Fire burned in his groin as she kissed him, and as he calculated her intentions he began to barely move his lips in sync with her.

Bulma felt like she was slowly drawing the surly Saiyan out of his shell, and suppressing a smile she pushed her breasts up against his chest. Leaning on one elbow she let her other hand glide up his arm and onto his shoulder, clutching and flexing as she took time to enjoy the muscles beneath. After hours of tossing and turning, she felt at peace and safe. Who knew Vegeta would do the trick?

Vegeta continued to hardly participate, being the suspicious man that he was, and Bulma eventually pulled away to peer into his face. "You know, seven hours ago you were all about the physical," she teased gently, brushing her nose across his cheek before she dropped back to the bed.

Blue eyes sparkled up at onyx ones, and Vegeta frowned at his predicament. He would really enjoy fucking her, but he felt like there was some sort of trap being laid.

Bulma watched the thoughts flicker across his stony face in the dark, and she let one comforting hand wander up his chest to his clavicle. "You said I'm your mate, and that that's important," she commented, watching where her fingers touched. "I just want to be near you," she added with a blush, and she couldn't look into his eyes.

Vegeta felt astonishment creep up on him. He hadn't realized that she was willing to take her place as his mate. Sudden thoughts of procreation and aristocracy rules danced in his head, and he frowned above her. He supposed, under the circumstances, being that humans were the only Saiyan-like creatures that seemed to breed effectively, Bulma was an optimal choice for it. Funny that he hadn't truly thought about it before.

He brought his thoughts back to the present as he stared down at her embarrassed figure. Obviously, she was expecting some sort of admonishment or rejection. Smirking, he lowered himself onto his forearms, settling his weight on her body and letting his hips dig into hers. Bulma's eyes snapped to his in surprise.

Vegeta's canines glittered, feral in the darkness. "You may be near me, Earth-woman, if you are willing to face the consequences," he rumbled, waiting for her reply.

Bulma took shallow breaths, her head getting light with adrenalin. "Consequences?" she squeaked, her hands clenching at the sides of her head like she was held captive.

Vegeta smirked, watching her face flicker with emotion. "Perhaps that was an inaccurate definition," he purred, and Bulma's hair stood on end. Vegeta had never been persuasive before, only demanding or rough. She couldn't imagine the devastating effect he would have if he actually tried to seduce someone. "Perhaps," he continued, "I should say, if you are willing to take the responsibility that comes with it."

Bulma gazed up into his eyes fearfully. What was he going to come up with now?

Chuckling darkly at her reaction, Vegeta lowered his head to hers. "Are you willing?" he asked again, letting his deep voice slide over her like velvet, and Bulma shivered.

"Yes," she whispered, not knowing whether he was going to enslave her for the rest of her life or ravage her there.

Vegeta did both.

With a grunt of satisfaction he dropped his mouth to hers and slid over her lips as one hand snaked up behind her head and one knee made its way between her legs.

Pleasantly surprised, Bulma felt her body ignite with fire as he softly kissed her, and he seemed to indulge himself in her taste, not just conquer her.

Indeed, Vegeta reveled in her breath as he opened her mouth and let his tongue brush hers. The past two times had been heady and fast, only for the carnal need and not particularly based on attraction, but this -- this was different. He hadn't been with a woman this way... ever. Her previous gentleness had sparked something in him that made him want to pull her into his chest and protect her, and it amazed him that he was actually... mating.

Bulma made the barest moan as she pressed up against his chest, arching her spine so that everywhere he was, she could be. Vegeta deepened the kiss, pressing his mouth tightly against hers as his tongue began to dance with hers, and Bulma started to feel lightheaded from her lack of breath. Moments later she clutched his shoulders and tore her mouth away, panting in excitement, and Vegeta took the opportunity to explore the column of her neck with his lips.

Nipping and teasing his way down her throat, the Saiyan rumbled in appreciation of her soft skin. His own Saiyan hide was thick and smooth, but hers was thin and silken. Though it was dark, he could see her little blue veins criss-crossing underneath her skin, and he marveled at the delicacy with which the fragile human was made.

Bulma squeaked in anticipation, her legs beginning to tremble with need and feeling her womanhood begin to weep. Vegeta leaned up over her and smirked down at her surprised face. "Here I was thinking you'd be practically useless," he remarked, and before she could respond he whipped her shirt off over her head. Pert breasts bounced in the starlight, and Vegeta's face fell into one of deep concentration as he took a good look at her.

"I'd like to think that you're being useful to me," she purred, watching his hungry eyes devour her figure.

Vegeta spared her a waspish glance. "You're just lucky you're stuck on this ship with me," he retorted as one hand glided up her stomach to cup her breast, smoothing around it like it might break.

Letting out a pent-up breath, Bulma squirmed in anticipation. "I would have -- ahhh -- found someone else to do the trick back home!" she gasped as his mouth closed over one firm nipple.

Vegeta snapped his head back up and snarled, yanking her hip up against his. "No one could sate you as I can," he hissed, eyes darkening menacingly. "You are mine now, and don't forget it!"

Again, before she could get a word in he slammed his mouth over hers, grinding into her wet core and feeling the material of his shorts between them.

Bulma blinked, feeling utterly owned and dominated by the Saiyan as he ravaged her mouth. Thoughts flashed through her head at his sudden territoriality. He had some nerve to treat her like property! But still... it was kind of hot for him to be so possessive. Plus, it was true enough that he really owned nothing in this world -- only the scrap of suit that he had left from Namek, and she doubted that even that had belonged to him in the first place. Would she begrudge him a shred of pride that told him that she would not stray?

Finally he released her mouth, breathing deeply and staring down into her eyes. Bulma could feel his simmering anger, as well as a discomfort that she realized (and highly doubted that he understood) was rejection.

So she did the only thing a real woman could do.

With a sweet, genteel smile, she reached her arm up around his neck and leaned up to press her lips gently but firmly to his. Pulling away after a brief second, she whispered, "You're not forgettable, Vegeta."

His chest swelled as he watched her fall back to the bed. He felt so... virile.

In a flash, he was back nipping at her neck as one hand slid down her stomach to venture between her delicate folds. Between her gasps, he rumbled, "You'll never be able to fuck anyone else after me, Bulma."

The human agreed, whimpering and panting as one of his digits massaged her clit. Her fingers trembled and turned white at the knuckles as she drove her hands into his hair and clenched his roots. "Oh -- Ve -- Ve --"

He smirked when she couldn't even manage to gasp his name. He tortured her a few more moments before he let her go and sat up to take off his shorts.

Bulma lay prone on the bed before she gathered her wits and sat up on her haunches behind him, watching as his manhood sprang into view when his shorts dropped around his ankles. Hungrily she pressed her breasts to his taut back and wrapped her arms around his torso as she leaned in to grasp his cock.

Vegeta hissed in mild surprise as her hands closed over him, tauntingly massing the tip before they dropped down to envelop his shaft.

"Fun fact," she drawled as his fists clenched in the covers at his side, "You're the biggest I've ever had."

Adrenalin pumped through his veins at her words, and he couldn't take it any longer. With a predatory snarl he flipped around and pushed her on her back before he shoved his knees between hers.

Bulma half-laughed, half-shrieked as she fell back against the pillow and felt the cool air reach her core. Vegeta smirked at her playfulness as he leaned over her, letting his manhood brush the aqua curls at her hips. "You're the best fuck I've ever had," he stated dryly, Bulma smiled up at him. That was a regular declaration of love from the Saiyan.

Lifting her legs to his hips, she wrapped them around him and let her arms climb onto his shoulders. She could feel his shaft pressing firmly against her entrance, and she blushed up in excitement at his face.

Vegeta watched her cooly for a moment before he reached down to guide himself into her, and with a grunt of satisfaction he shoved himself in, earning a moan of surprise from the human.

Bulma could feel that peculiar energy pulsing in and out of her suddenly, and she knew that he was taking care of her. Keening as he began to pull in and out, Bulma wrapped her arms around his shoulders to pull him to her chest.

Vegeta acquiesced, laying atop her as he increased his speed, grunting in her ear as she clenched her hands through his hair once more. The human seemed to like having as much physical contact as possible, and he wouldn't deny the woman that particular comfort.

As she breathed in and out, her voice began to waver and fade, and after a few moments she was dry-screaming into the cold air around them. Vegeta smirked to himself as he sat up, pulling out of her briefly so that he could pull her upright and turn her around. Surprised, Bulma grabbed the headboard as he grasped her hips and slammed into her again, letting his chest dip and brush against her back. Bulma whimpered, feeling him go deeper than he had as he let one hand drift to her clit and massage it.

Bulma began to scream, hoarse from her breathing, as each thrust pushed the air from her lungs. Heavy waves began to build up in her hips as she moved closer and closer to her climax.

Gritting his teeth at the amazing pressure building, Vegeta increased his speed until he could barely hear her breathe.

"Veg -- E -- Ta!" she tried to say as he mercilessly drilled in and out. "I'm com -- I'm com --"

But he felt her tense up and shake violently as her release came and she screamed his name. Her walls tightened around him, and he gasped as his own came swiftly behind.

Bulma squeaked, suddenly sensitive as he made one final push into her and stilled. With heaving breaths, he leaned over her figure and grasped her to himself, dropping his chin against her shoulder as he pulled her stomach and chest towards his.

Panting and trembling with weakness, Bulma sagged in his arms until he let her sink to the bed again, careful to keep his manhood nestled within her.

Neither had the energy nor the desire to speak as they sank down into the pillows, with Vegeta spooning against her back. He could feel himself getting smaller, but he liked being in her... and Bulma was content to let him be so close.

Minutes later, his hand drifted up onto her hip as he nosed her hair, relishing in her softness and her sweet smell as he unconsciously massaged her hip. Bulma smiled, suddenly felt quite warm and safe.

She could only hope that all emotional remedies could be this exhausting.

A/N: So there's the nitty-gritty. We'll see where it goes from here... maybe... if you review!