Bulma and Vegeta did most of their talking between the time of sex and sleep. It was probably the sex that brought them emotionally closer together, thus making each of them a slight bit off their mental guard when bringing up certain subjects. On one particular December night, Bulma decided to bring up one of Vegeta's least favorite subjects….parties.

Bulma loved her friends and definitely didn't see enough of them – especially since everyone was training so hard for the androids arrival in less than a year and a half. She had already begun planning a Christmas get-together for everyone in her inner circle. Although it was her house and her life – hell, she and Vegeta weren't even technically boyfriend and girlfriend – she thought it best to tell him her plans well ahead of time to fend off any temper tantrums he might have as a result, justified or not.

She sat there in the almost-dark trying to come up with a way to bring up the subject with him.

"Vegeta?" she finally whispered.

"Hmh?" was his reply.

"What was your mother like?" she asked him.

"Why do you want to know?" he asked in return. When she approached him out of left field like this, he knew there was a possibility she was just trying to get some sort of future ammunition out of him. He always tried to find out why she was asking before giving an answer.

"I just want to know more about where you came from," said Bulma. "I still don't know much about your planet or your parents or…or anything. I just pick up things that you share with me here and there."

"I can't tell you much about my mother," answered Vegeta. "As with most of the females on Vegeta, she didn't interact with the males very much – and that included her own children. Once I was born, I was pretty much handed off to my father when I was only a few months old."

"Oh you poor thing!" said Bulma.

"Don't pity me or my race. That's just the way it was done. Most of the females were happy with the arrangement. They socialized among themselves and had as little contact with the males as possible," said Vegeta.

"That is so unlike Earth," remarked Bulma. "Most of my friends have always been men. You mean to say the women stayed away from the men all the time?"

"Except for the mating," said Vegeta. "But to be clear, there were a few superior females in our race who had warrior blood in their veins. They joined the warrior ranks right alongside the men."

"Did these women - ," started Bulma with her next question, but Vegeta quickly interrupted.

"Baka, what is this interrogation tonight?" he questioned.

"Sorry Vegeta, I was just curious," said Bulma.

"Good night," he punctuated, letting her know that he was done with her for the time being.

Bulma definitely got the message. Damn! That may have been the wrong strategy. I thought I could get him talking and eventually bring up the party. I think he's going to get pissed if I say anything else. Should I or shouldn't I? Although he had already turned over, Bulma continued to stare at him, thinking.

After a minute of silence, Vegeta huffily popped back over onto his other side so he was now facing her once again.

"What?" he exclaimed.

"What?" she replied. "Oh," she said noting her thinking was bothering him. She didn't feel him as well as he felt her and he could obviously tell she still had something to say.

"Out with it or you are going to keep me up all night," said Vegeta.

"I'm having a party," she said softly, not really knowing how he'd react to it.

"So?" he replied.

"You don't care?" she asked.

"Of course I care," he said. "I don't want those losers around."

"Aw, c'mon Vegeta. They are my friends…," said Bulma.

Vegeta held up his hand to stop her pleading. "Woman, I know that ultimately there is nothing I can do about them coming here every so often."

Bulma stopped in her mental tracks. Really, Vegeta? Why are you being so understanding all of a sudden?

"It's not even worth my time trying to prevent it," he continued. "Just don't expect me to be there."

With that, he turned back over again and not another word was said.

That ought to make her paranoid, he smirked to himself.

OlOlOlOlOlO

Vegeta awoke suddenly, feeling an all-too-familiar presence nearby. He sat straight up, eyes wide. He looked over at the sleeping blue-haired beauty who didn't know – had no way of knowing – that anything was wrong.

There's no way….

A light came through the window from the outside. It wasn't an ordinary light – it was more like the remnants of a power blast. Then he heard the explosion – and the shouting.

"Vegeta!" he heard. It was a familiar voice though it had been a while since he had heard it.

It couldn't be….

BOOM! The entire wall was blasted away. Bulma shot up next to Vegeta.

"Vegeta, what's…," Bulma started to shout. But then she saw what – rather who - Vegeta was staring at. "Frieza?" She screamed.

There he stood where the wall of Bulma's bedroom used to be.

Vegeta jumped out of bed and took an instant ready-stance.

Frieza disappeared for a split second.

When he reappeared in front of Vegeta, Bulma was now in his arms - specifically his arm around her neck. She screamed again, then passed out.

"Bulma!" Vegeta shouted and made the tiniest of movements forward towards his foe.

"Ah, ah, Vegeta," said Frieza, shaking his forefinger at the Saiyan prince. "If you dare confront me ever again, she is history!" Frieza turned and left through the gaping hole in the wall.

Vegeta's mouth gaped open. It was one of the few times in his life he had no idea what he should do. If he pursued Frieza, Bulma was dead. If he didn't follow, she would either die or be his prisoner. The conflict within him was too much. He fell to his knees and screamed.

"Vegeta?" he heard. A soft hand appeared on his shoulder.

Startled, he sat straight up in the bed. He was covered in sweat and was finding it difficult to catch his breath.

"Are you ok?" said the soft female voice. Her hand moved to his back and started to caress his back in a motherly manner.

"Bulma?" Vegeta said aloud.

"It's ok," she said softly.

Vegeta came to his senses, realizing that it was just another nightmare – but it still scared him half to death. It was exactly the situation that he now feared the most. He lay back down again with his head in the crook between Bulma's arm and chest.

She felt the terror in him and knew it must have been a bad one. She gently caressed his head as he drifted off to sleep once again.

Nothing more was said between the two of them that night.

I must stay strong, the Saiyan thought to himself. This cannot go any farther than it has already. I cannot…attach….love. His mind drifted and he fell asleep.

OlOlOlOlOlO

Bulma put on a nice pair of jeans and a bright red short-sleeved shirt. Although it was a party, it wasn't a party for diplomats, clients or businessmen. These were her friends and as much as she wanted to look nice for everyone, she knew the crowd was laid back enough that she'd still look extremely dressed up even wearing something she considered casual.

Both Dr. and Mrs. Brief were in the kitchen preparing the food for the party. Mrs. Brief loved to cook and as of late, both she and her husband had made it a purposeful hobby to experiment with new dishes from around the world. They were more than happy to take ownership of the food for the intimate party of friends.

Bulma made sure the cleaning bots did a better-than-usual job cleaning the area where the guests would spend most of their evening. She decided that the best place to have it was at one of the other buildings on the Capsule Corp property. It was where large functions were usually held for clients and shareholders of the company.

She stood in the middle of the party room and took a deep breath. I'm ready.

Just then, she felt another pair of eyes on her. She turned towards the door to the outside to see a short, bald man looking at her.

"Krillin!" she shouted. She jogged towards the door and gave him a big hug when she finally reached him just inside.

"Hiya Bulma! Long time, eh?" Krillin said to her.

"How's my favorite friend from the journey to Namek?" she asked.

"Oh, I'm fine," he replied, blushing slightly at her overt nature. "I've just been training a lot."

"Where's Roshi?" she asked.

"He's talking to your Dad," said Krillin. "They bumped into each other outside."

Master Roshi and Bulma's folks entered the hall next followed shortly after by Oolong and Turtle.

It was eerie how quickly everyone got comfortable with each other again. It was as if no time at all had passed since they had seen each other last when in fact it was months. Bulma noted this and thought, Now that is the mark of true friendship. It could have been ten years and we'd still act as if we had just seen each other yesterday.

It wasn't long before the others had arrived. There was Yamcha, Tien, Chiatzhou, Goku, Chi-Chi, and Gohan. Even Piccolo stopped by briefly to say hi to everyone, though he didn't stay long.

The food was fantastic and Goku and Gohan definitely ate more than their fair share. Soft music played in the background as everyone rotated around to talk to everyone else.

Bulma spent the beginning part of the evening talking with Chi-Chi.

"How has Gohan been?" asked Bulma to her dark-haired friend.

"Well, not that I've seen him very much lately, but he's been fine," replied Chi-Chi. "He's out with his father and Piccolo much of the time training for the androids."

"That's what I figured he'd be doing. He's such a great kid, y'know?" said Bulma. "It was great getting to know him during our trip to Namek."

"I couldn't ask for a greater son," replied Chi-Chi. "The only thing I would change is his desire to fight like his father. As much as I try, he doesn't seem to be able to give it up completely."

"I know how much Goku loves to fight," said Bulma. "If Gohan is anything like his father, you'll never get him to quit completely."

Chi-Chi sighed. "I guess I should just be happy that he studies as much as he does."

"He's strong and he's smart, Chi-Chi. I hope when I have kids that I have one just like Gohan," said Bulma.

"Speaking of having kids, are there any new men in your life, Bulma?" asked Chi-Chi. "I know you want kids and you can't have kids without a man."

"Don't I know it," Bulma replied.

"Are you still with Yamcha? Or did you two call it off again?" asked Chi-Chi.

"We're off again," said Bulma. "I think this time its permanent. He's just not 'the one'."

"That's too bad," replied Chi-Chi. "He's a really nice guy."

"Definitely. And he'll always be one of my best friends. He's just not…y'know, fireworks and all that," said Bulma.

"Oh, I see," said Chi-Chi.

"I do have someone, but I'm not ready to share yet," said Bulma.

"You can't leave me hanging!" implored Chi-Chi.

Bulma smiled knowing how Chi-Chi hated to be left with just a taste of a good chunk of gossip. "Nope, sorry! I don't want to jinx it. You'll find out in good time," said Bulma.

"You'd better call me as soon as the cat's out of the bag," said Chi-Chi. "I want to be the first to know!"

"You'll be the first. I promise," said Bulma.

Yamcha came over and sat down next to Bulma and put his arm around her shoulders. "Hiya B," he said to her.

"I'm going to get another drink," said Chi-Chi as she stood up from her chair and left the pair to their conversation.

"Hey Yamcha, how have you been?" asked Bulma.

"I've been good," he replied. "How about you? You weren't exactly in the best of moods the last time we talked."

"Things have kind of…sorted themselves out," she replied.

"You and Vegeta are ok now?" he asked.

"You could say we made our peace," she replied.

"That's good to hear. I couldn't imagine having to share a house with someone like him," said Yamcha. "And to think, I thought you were actually starting to get a crush on him." He laughed a little bit.

"Yeah," fake-laughed Bulma in return. "Imagine that."

"Well, I'm glad to see that you are doing better," he said.

Goku then walked over to the pair and sat down.

"Oh hey, Goku," said Yamcha.

"Great party, Bulma," said Goku. "I love the food."

"The way you shovel it down, I'm surprised you can even taste anything," snarked Bulma.

Goku blushed just a bit. "You know me," he replied.

"So how have you guys been?" he asked. "I've been training so much I haven't seen anyone but Chi-Chi, Gohan and Piccolo for a while now."

"I've been training a lot, too," said Yamcha. "Though I have no idea how much help I'll be against the androids. That kid from the future sure made them sound tough."

"I have a feeling we'll need everyone," responded Goku. "Don't sell yourself short."

Just then, Tien shouted for Yamcha to come over and join him across the room. Yamcha excused himself and got up leaving Goku and Bulma sitting there.

"So, how have you been, Bulma? Did you get past that situation you were so upset about the last time I saw you?" Goku asked.

"Things have gotten a lot better," she replied to her lifelong friend. "You helped me out quite a bit that time you came over. I was so depressed."

"You do seem a lot happier," noted Goku. "So…are there any new men in your life these days?" he prodded knowing full well what history required to happen between her and Vegeta.

"Goku! It's not like you to ask questions like that," said a surprised Bulma. "Did Chi-Chi put you up to that one?"

In reality, Chi-Chi hadn't - but to cover himself, Goku replied with, "Aww, Bulma, you caught me!"

"Tell your nosy wife that I'll let her know in good time. And if she keeps asking me, I won't tell her at all!"

Goku cowered with both hands up, as if that would stop the verbal tirade. "Ok, ok, forget I said anything."

The socializing and gossiping continued late into the evening and a good time was had by all. Group-by-group, Bulma's friends called it a night and left her and her parents there to clean up. Yamcha was the last one there. Just as he was giving Bulma a hug good-bye, who but Vegeta came through the doors to the room.

He saw Bulma hugging her previous boyfriend but already knew that it didn't mean anything to her. Again, the bond played its part in helping the Saiyan know exactly what his woman's intentions really were. When he passed the two humans, he sneered and let out a slight grunt of acknowledgement before heading straight for the leftovers from the party.

Bulma broke the hug and she and Yamcha turned to watch Vegeta make himself right at home in front of the buffet table.

"I was wondering where he was," stated Yamcha.

"Oh, he's definitely still here as you can see," replied Bulma. "Did you really expect him to come to the party?"

"I guess not," Yamcha replied. "So this doesn't upset you?" he asked, meaning Vegeta's hubris of just barging into the party room and helping himself to the rest of the food.

"Actually, I expected it," she commented.

Yamcha looked at Bulma's smiling face as she watched Vegeta quickly scarf down a large quantity of food. I wonder what's really going on with those two. I just hope she's happy.