Summary: An unlikely Vegeta and Bulma get together that spans over the infamous three years. How did it really happen? Slow burn. Harsh language, sexual situations and tons of mayhem.

Disclaimer: I, of course, do not own any Dragon Ball characters, etc etc. Rights to their respectful owners.

Brief note: more slow burn. :3

Chapter Three: Acquaintances

Two months.

That was how long Vegeta had seemingly gone out of his way to avoid her. The man had gotten incredibly good at knowing her schedule and bending her mother's attention to his will to literally never cross paths with her. In the mornings, she just missed him – the evenings he'd train late and have dinner right at the time that Bulma's eyes drooped into slumber. The man was set on never speaking to her again apparently. She sighed, tapping her pen idly against her desk as she pondered the last few weeks. She had spent nearly her entire time helping her father with his new inventions for the upcoming science convention and it seemed Vegeta had been going gentler on the simulator to ensure the only times he'd need help would be the moments her father could say yes. It was so absurd. This clear avoidance was obviously a mixture of embarrassment and stubborn pride.

"There you are dear," Her father poked his head into her office, right hand coming up to adjust his glasses, " Could you come with me?"

Bulma dropped her pen and met her father's gaze, " Of course. What's up dad?"

She joined him in the hallway to head down toward his own office, a larger space that attached to one of the smaller labs within the compound. He continued without a hitch, his arms crossing sloppily as he spoke, left hand rubbing his mustache.

"We have a new lab assistant starting today, " He told her, " I need you to show him around. Let him know how we do things here."

The way he spoke the last part pricked her ears, knowing that her father wanted her to give him the confidentiality spiel that involved their own alien house guest. The way he carried himself around, flying, shooting stuff and lifting things hundreds of times his weight always lead to such conversations with their employees. It usually took them a good three weeks to get used to the way the harsh Saiyan carried himself around the lab, essentially tearing through it like a hurricane depending on his mood that week. Usually these conversations always went better when Bulma handled it.

Bulma chuckled, arms coming upward to stretch behind her head, "Sure."

Once they entered his office, the young man seated at the desk turned to look back at them as they entered, catching Bulma slightly off guard. He was attractive, and not just slightly attractive, the guy was incredibly hot. He stood to shook her father's hand again, obviously trying to keep himself in good respectful standing with the man. His eyes shifted to Bulma's, the man's pristine smile widening. He outstretched his hand, confidence oozing off of him. She was slightly taken back.

"You must be Bulma, " His voice steady and strong, seeming to wave over her in almost a silk texture, "I'm Christian."

To say Bulma's insides were quivering was an understatement, " H-hi, Christian. Nice to meet you."

She took his handshake and felt the warmth that radiated from him. If she was going to be working this with guy, she could totally get used to it. They exchanged a smooth smile. Bulma felt her day was suddenly looking up.

" WOMAN!"

She winced, lowering her test tubes and casting a glance to Christian, who went rigid with realization. This would be the first occasion the man would witness what they spoke about, and by the tone in Vegeta's voice, it was going to be a doozy. She sighed, placing the tubes back into their holders before the prince erupted into the room, door swinging backward with a smack. She turned slightly to observe the prince to find him looking at her quizzically. His brow was creased in annoyance and curiosity. Bulma didn't care, however.

" What do you want?!" She couldn't hide the bite in her tone.

"What the hell did you do to your hair?" He demanded.

Bulma jolted slightly, then recalled that this was the first time Vegeta had seen in her weeks, so he had not seen her finally retire the untamed perm for a more reserved look. Her hair, after being removed from said perm, was sliding down the length of her shoulders nearly to the middle of her back. It was slightly curly, and thick. The Saiyan almost seemed fascinated by it.

"Is that a subtle way of saying you like my fresh look? " She smirked, arms crossing as she faced him fully, " What did you break?"

Vegeta's back went straight when his gaze suddenly turned to observe the new man in the room, (one he clearly didn't notice at first which seemed to unnerve him), " Who the fuck are you?!"

"Vegeta! " Bulma fumed, " I would appreciate it if you wouldn't talk to our employees this way! This is Christian and he's my assistant!"

Vegeta eyed the man with disdain and snorted, disregarding the man without a second thought, " Your idiot mother failed to prepare my meal before she left with the old man. I need sustenance this instant!"

Bulma parted her lips to respond to be cut off by Christian, to her shock.

" Do you have to refer to the owners in such a way? Its demeaning."

Bulma blanched at his words, immediately bracing herself for Vegeta's reaction, which immediately came without hesitation. Christian realized his mistake and looked pale. The heiress felt for him. He was new, and it was difficult to hold back such commentary. Vegeta's mannerisms were not easy to ignore. They had just discussed such a thing no longer than twenty minutes ago. Christian knew he had made a mistake and it was undeniable how much Vegeta intimidated him.

"Who the hell said you could speak to me?" The flame hair warrior bellowed, taking a threatening step toward the man causing Christian to shrink back slightly, " You want to come closer and say that to me again, human?"

Before he could advance he felt Bulma's hands upon his chest causing him to freeze and lock eyes with her. The touch was completely unexpected and rendered him speechless.

"Enough Vegeta, " She tried to placate him, " Let's take this into the hall, ok? We can figure out dinner. Let's go."

His fist, which he has just realized was raised, lowered. She slowly backed away and headed into the hallway, waiting for him to follow. He did so without hesitation casting one last glare toward the assistant causing the man to take a flinched step backward. Once in the hallway Bulma wasted no time closing the door and spinning on the man.

" What the hell is wrong with you?!"

Vegeta rose to the challenge instantly, " What's wrong with me? I demand food, woman! Must I repeat myself?"

She screeched with frustration causing Vegeta to cover his ears instantly to drown out the noise. This endless battle with him was growing more and more frustrating every time they clashed heads. It was infuriating. She liked Christian and now she was sure the man would consider putting in his notice. Once his hands lowered and Vegeta felt safe, he snarled at her, but remained silent.

" I will order pizza," She barked, " Just.. go upstairs and be patient for once in your life! I will prepay it so all you have to do is open the damn door!"

He didn't even give her a chance to respond before she reentered and slammed the door harshly behind her, leaving the conversation. He almost contemplated going after her but stayed his hand. He was hungry and she was going to fulfill that need. Mission accomplished. His eye twitched, however, when his Saiyan ears picked up her voice as he turned to head back upstairs to the living area.

"I'd love to! " Her voice echoed softly past the door to him, " I haven't been on a date in forever!"

His teeth gnashed. He did not know what this "date" was but his insides churned. She used to go on these "dates" with the weakling and it always ended with her wreaking of him. The thought twisted his innards to the point of infuriation. He turned toward the door in rage but stopped himself.

Who gives a fuck!

He stomped off, stomach growling.

" Hello Anthony, " Bulma spoke into her cell, " Yes, I need three dozen pizzas, the usual. Put it on our tab. Uh-huh, you got it. Don't worry, put a big tip on there for him."

Christian observed her while she spoke, obviously making the call for her strange guest. He knew very little of Vegeta, besides the fact that he was apparently a dignitary, but it seemed that the warning about his brashness and short tempers were indeed true. The man was built like a body builder which did little to ease his leeriness of him. The man could obviously crumble him to dust. He observed the blue haired beauty from where he stood, admiring her soft mannerisms.

"Does he always speak to you that way?" His curiosity could not be ignored, " Hard to believe the man is royalty with a mouth like that."

He was rewarded with the soft and adorable chime of her laughter, " Oh, I know. Yup, he's always that.. friendly. It's a long story, but you learn to deal with it. As harsh as that caveman appears, there is some honor in there somewhere. "

The soft smile she offered ignited him, (though he was incorrect in thinking it was for him) fueling him with more bravery. The woman was stunning and intelligent to boot, and he had the honor of working for her. How any man could ignore such qualities was beyond him. They went about their tasks for only a few more minutes before he burst out.

"Would you like to go to dinner?"

Bulma and Christian both gazed at each other surprised at the question that lingered between them. The heiress hesitated a moment, unsure of what to say at first. Such relationships or even consideration of one between employees was normally frowned upon in the company. However, it had been quite some time since she had even had a man look at her the way he was obviously looking at her.

"I'd love to! " Her voice spoke with bravado, as though trying to convince herself that she needed this, " I haven't been on a date in forever!"

Christian's smile only confirmed that this was definitely the best day ever.

"Woman, open up!" Vegeta barked, knocking harshly on her bed room door, obviously unable to process patience. He could hear her rustling around in there with no response and it infuriated him.

"Open this dam door or I'll rip it off its hinges! " He hissed threateningly.

" Oh for fucks sakes, hold on!" Her voice responded, leaving him to stand in the hallway waiting for her.

Another minute and he was going to level the entire compound. He rose his fist to pound on the door again but halted when it swung open with fury, the blue haired woman matching his glare instantaneously. He was trying to focus on her angered responses, but he was distracted by her sudden change in attire. She was wearing a snug tube top dress that hugged her curves, defining the ample weight of her breasts and the fullness of her behind. He was trying to hold her gaze but his traitorous body allowed his sight to drop to look her over appreciatively before returning to match the ocean depths of her anger.

" Hello?!" She barked with annoyance, thankfully missing his once over a few seconds ago, hands splayed on both hips, " I have things to do – so just spit it the fuck out already!"

"What the fuck are you wearing?" He fought the question, but it came out anyway, bubbling up his throat without his permission.

Bulma suddenly looked at him shocked then smirked, slowly moving her arms to cross in front of her, doing nothing but perking her breasts out further. She was doing it purposely. The motion didn't go unnoticed, and Vegeta fought the blush that he knew was starting to rise upon his cheeks. She suddenly took a step forward into his personal space, causing his spine to go rigid. Her smirk deepened as she uncrossed her arms and suddenly pressed her body to him fully, hands resting upon the stone chest she knew resided beneath his tank top. Her large breasts were so snuggled against him, increasing her noticeable cleavage so much that Vegeta averted his gaze, fighting any reaction his body might have to her suddenly proximity.

"Why?" She answered his earlier question, her voice soft and a breaths away from his chin, " You like what you see?"

The promiscuous way she asked such questions made his stomach churn with desire, but he squashed it down forcefully. His hands reached out and grabbed each of her forearms to extract her from his body, turning his head back to meet her gaze. Whatever moment they might have just had, had vanished. His cold glare greeted her and took her by surprise, but she kept the smirk. She had made him uncomfortable, but it was clear that he found her attractive, regardless of whatever denial he continued to reflect on the outside.

"You look like a whore, " He said in response, eliciting a gasp from Bulma and an attempt to raise her hand to slap him, but he gently knocked it away, " A cheap one at that."

"You asshole!"

It was Vegeta's turn to smirk, having easily gotten under her skin, "The bots are all broken, I require new ones for tomorrow."

Her brow dropped, " What?! I JUST replaced them last week!"

"They are inferior, " He spoke matter of factly, " They did not fulfill their purpose. Make them better."

He dropped his hold on her then and abruptly turned his back to her, set on heading back to his own living quarters. He hadn't gotten far before his voice rang out again.

"I expect them by morning," He added.

"UGH!" Her frustrated exploded from behind him, " I have a date tonight! I don't have time for this shit!"

" I don't give a fuck, " He punctuated, ending the conversation with a slam of his door behind him.

He knew her pride would not allow her to ignore his request. She was just as bad as he when it came to this little tit for tat between them. They would be done by tomorrow as he stated. A frustrated screech of " I HATE YOU!" made it to his ears once the door separated them.

He genuinely laughed for the first time in decades.

Brief note: Hope you liked it. :) Please review!