Not much changed over the next few days. Bulma would venture out of her room now and again, but she was still absent most of the time. She didn't work much and if she did, it was from the remote access in her room. She did not come to regular meals – Vegeta's comment was still stinging to her and the last thing she wanted to do was to run into him.

Vegeta tried to go on with his life – training, eating, sleeping – all three were accomplished poorly due to the mental stress he was under. He still thought about the woman, though he still didn't know why he reacted the way he did when she told him she liked him. The funny thing was, she didn't even say that she liked him…it was Yamcha who thought she liked him. She really didn't confirm or deny.

Did she like him beyond friendship? He tried to sort through the mixed messages she often sent him. The mothering, the bickering, the yelling – but there was still something there. Why did she act the way she did?

Because she cares about you, you fool. You only need only tell her you want her and she is yours.

Only weaklings need mates and intimacy. I am not a weakling.

Why? Why can't you be a great warrior and still have a mate?

It's a distraction and a weakness.

You're distracted now without a mate.

Good point.

There are benefits to having a mate.

Such as?

There is always someone on your side. Someone to talk to. Sex.

Hmm. Sex. It's been so long.

And never with someone you cared about.

Mating is a huge commitment. I'm not ready for it.

Who says you can't go into it slowly?

No one. I can. No commitments yet.

You'll have to win her back.

She'll come around. I just need to keep my pride in check.

Agreed.

Vegeta went from the training room to the kitchen to grab a quick snack. Then he headed up to his room. As he passed the landing on the 2nd floor, he noted that the woman's bedroom door was strangely open.

That's weird.

That's when he heard him. He was here.

Vegeta edged his way up to the doorway and peeked into the room. There, on her bed, was Goku. He was propped up against the wall with some pillows behind him. Bulma sat between his legs – she was lying back against his chest.

Vegeta, with his phenomenal Saiyan hearing, heard most of what they were saying.

"Goku, you are such a good friend," Bulma said. "I'm so sorry that I interrupted your training, but I really needed to talk with someone I can trust and someone who hasn't been hanging around Capsule Corp lately."

"Anytime, Bulma. We've been training everyday for the androids' arrival – I don't think a few hours here with you is going to change whether we win or lose in the long run," said Goku. "Actually, it's probably a good thing - y'know, give the body a rest. So are you feeling any better?"

"Very much so," she replied.

Chitter chatter, thought Vegeta. I've got better things to do. Then he continued up the stairs to his room. It was a shame, because he probably would have enjoying hearing where Bulma and Goku's conversation was going….

"Like I said, don't ever take him personally," said Goku. "You are a very smart lady, Bulma. You have to understand where he's coming from and why he says what he says. Don't let it get to you. Just keep his past in the back of your mind."

"I'm so glad you told me more about Vegeta," said Bulma. "I hadn't realized what a horrible childhood he really had."

"Yes. And it was the only thing he knew. He was never taught about love or friendship. Everything was fighting, pride, and competition. I mean, you saw how Frieza was – and he belonged to Frieza from the time he was just a small kid. Imagine being around that for more than a decade. Imagine seeing your father killed by the very people you were forced to join and serve."

"I feel so bad, Goku. I made it all about me when I should have thought about him more," said Bulma. "Of course he's going to be a little anti-social."

Goku, of course, knew what Mirai Trunks had told him – these two were supposed to get together eventually. He was trying his best to explain to Bulma just what she was dealing with. He knew she was smart albeit a little self-centered. He needed to get her to see beyond the hard, mean exterior and the sometimes awful things that came out of Vegeta's mouth.

"I'm sure he doesn't mean half the things he says," said Goku. "You just have to not take it to heart. Let it roll right off. You'll be fine."

"You're right, Goku. Thanks for setting me straight. You've made me feel so much better," said Bulma.

The two friends hugged each other and Goku even earned a small peck on the cheek.

Bulma got up from the bed and stretched. "I'm a little hungry. Goku, can I make you some dinner?"

Goku perked up at that offer. "Yeah, sure! I'm starving!"

Bulma giggled. "Goku, when are you ever not hungry?"

OlOlOlOlOlO

Vegeta peeked around the corner of Bulma's room and saw her sitting on the bed with Kakarrot. At his first glance, they were just talking. Vegeta was about to walk away when he saw Bulma turn and kiss Kakarrot full on the lips. It wasn't a friendly kiss; it was definitely passionate and deep. Vegeta's eyes opened wide at seeing this unexpected turn of events.

He walked into the doorway. "Keep your hands off of her, Kakarrot – you already have a mate."

Goku didn't answer the prince. In fact, it was almost as if they either didn't see him standing there – or they didn't care that he was watching them.

He tried again. "Woman! What do you think you are doing!" he shouted at Bulma.

Again, there was nothing about their actions that led him to believe that they knew he was standing there.

Vegeta didn't know what else he could say. He watched as his rival started to take things a bit further. His hands slithered their way up the front of her shirt. Hers made their way over the outside of his rear and eventually up to his muscular chest.

Goku gently nudged Bulma down so she was lying down on the bed with him overtop of her. He lifted her still clothed leg up with his arm as he situated himself between her thighs.

By now, Vegeta's mouth was gaping. He couldn't believe what he was seeing in front of him.

Then he heard Bulma's voice. She was too preoccupied with the third class to be speaking, but nonetheless, it was her voice. A woman has needs.

Vegeta was taken aback. He had had enough. Slowly, he backed away from the situation. Then he felt a hand on his shoulder.

"Vegeta, are you ok?"

He didn't reply. Huh?

"Vegeta?" said the voice again.

"Bulma?" he asked, sitting up on his elbows.

She noted that he had used her name – something he did not do on a regular basis. Her mind instantly thought about some snide comment she could make about that, but was instantly derailed because of the primary reason she was there.

"Yes, it's me," she replied. "You were screaming again. You must have had a bad dream."

Vegeta mentally gathered himself. It was a dream.

He closed his eyes and lied back on his pillow again. Bulma was sitting on the edge of his bed near his shoulder. The minute-long silence that ensued was a bit awkward.

"It seems like you are ok now," she said to the prince. "I'm going to - "

"Stay," he finished for her. "Please."

Vegeta nudged himself over giving Bulma room to fully sit down on the bed. She sat down next to him with her back against the wall. Vegeta situated himself next to her so that he was now leaning on her shoulder. Neither one said anything.

Bulma placed her arm around him and even caressed his hair. He didn't say a word, which she took as his permission to touch him. Poor Vegeta, she thought to herself. Her thoughts took her back to the conversation she had with Goku earlier in the day. She didn't feel pity for this Saiyan, but she was sorry he had to endure all that he had in his life. A small smile came across her lips. She felt content. She had found her way again.

OlOlOlOlOlO

Bulma awoke alone in Vegeta's room the next morning. He's probably training like he always is.

She made her way to her own bedroom to get ready for the day. Today was going to be a good day…she just knew it. She thought back to the events of last evening. Sure, they were minor in the grand scheme of things, but she felt like perhaps they had finally broken through a barrier of some sort. The talk with Goku had really opened her eyes and she made a promise to herself that she would, from now on, be the better person.

Vegeta was in a surprisingly decent mood. He slept better than he had in a very long time and he awoke next to the woman, lazily propped against him. She stayed. He thought of all the meanings of that dream he had had and the events that happened immediately afterward. If I pursue this….he stopped for a moment because he had never allowed his mind to even consider it….If I pursue this, I will need to be strong. It cannot interfere with my destiny to be the strongest warrior of the Saiyan race. But he did also admit to himself that what he was feeling was a strange warmth radiating from within himself. He wasn't sure what it was – only that he liked it.

OlOlOlOlOlO

Life went on as usual and the blue-haired genius and the Saiyan prince went about their business. Bulma started working in her lab again, monitoring the progress of the new 1000G Gravity Room/Space Capsule project. Vegeta went back to his train-eat-sleep mentality.

Nothing changed until a week later when Vegeta noted a presence at Capsule Corp – one that he had not felt in a little while. Why is he here?

He entered the kitchen through the back door and saw Yamcha eating dinner with Bulma and her parents.

"Hi Vegeta," said Bulma.

"Hmh," was his only reply.

He walked straight through the kitchen and up to his room so he could take a shower. I thought she was done with that baka. What is going on now? He started to get uncomfortable with the overall situation yet again.

Soon enough, he was in the kitchen with the four others eating his dinner. He needed to monitor the situation closely. Perhaps he and the woman were not in the same frame of mind as he thought a few days ago.

A woman has needs.

Oh no, not that. What did she call it? Friends with benefits? Is that why he's here?

"We've got to go, Mom," said Bulma as she rose from her chair at the kitchen table. "C'mon Yamcha."

"What are you two doing tonight?" asked Dr. Brief.

"We're seeing a movie. What's it called again, Yamcha?" asked Bulma.

"Invasion," replied Yamcha. "It's about a race of aliens who come to earth and try to take it over." He looked over at Vegeta.

"Amusing," stated Vegeta flatly.

"Let's go, Bulma," said Yamcha grabbing her hand and pulling her out the door.