Well, I finally got out Bulma and Yamcha's break up out of the way. Aren't ya'll glad! ;-) I've been itching to write that scene for months. I'm also very happy and proud that this is my second story to go over 300 reviews, and I have absolutely everyone who has ever reviewed to thank for that. So… THANKS! ;-) You have no idea how much it means to me. I will try to go back to my usual style of personally thanking everyone after this chapter. I feel like I've left an important part out if I skip that. You guys take the time to read and review, so it's the least I can do in return.

Thank you all again very much. I really appreciate the feedback. Now, I think I'll put you all out of your misery, and get on with this chapter.

Chapter 18: We're Good

Bulma woke up and turned her head to the right slowly. The alarm clock stared back at her, and she just narrowed her eyes at it. It was five in the afternoon. She'd slept most of the past 48 hours, only because she couldn't stop crying when she was awake, so she willed herself to just sleep. It wasn't much better. Instead of thinking about Yamcha, and getting extremely angry and sad, she dreamt about everything that had happened, or her mind would put her in these terrible situations where she'd caught him in the act. It was just as bad, if not worse.

Carefully, she propped herself up on her elbows and glanced around her bedroom. Vegeta and Eighteen had brought her back home. She wasn't sure why, and she really didn't want to be here—in her room! Didn't they know she'd lost her virginity in this room with Yamcha? A special act that she had chosen to do with him and no one else! A sudden wave of nausea swept over her, and she bolted out of the bed and across the room to spill the contents of her empty stomach into the trashcan.

Her door opened quietly, and Chichi rushed into the room. "Bulma?" She dropped to her knees next to her younger sister and wrapped her arms around her. "Oh, hunny, are you okay?"

Bulma let out a sob and buried her face against her sister's shoulder. "How could he do this to me?" She whispered brokenly.

Chichi closed her eyes and rested her chin on top of her sister's head. "I don't know, B, but one thing I can tell you," she offered. "He's got to be the biggest idiot to ever walk the Earth."

"I can't stay in here," Bulma announced, pulling away slightly.

"Of course," Chichi replied, getting up to her feet and helping Bulma to hers. She understood completely what was going on. Bulma had always confided everything in her. She knew what memories this room held for her little sister. "You can stay at our house until you're ready to go back to school."

"I don't want go back there."

Chichi stopped dead in her tracks. "What?"

Bulma averted her eyes to the floor and repeated herself. "I don't want to go back there. I don't ever want to set foot in California again," she hissed angrily.

"But?"

"No! I'm not going back." With that said, Bulma stormed out her door and down the stairs, leaving her older sister with a concerned look on her face.

"I don't believe this," Chichi whispered sadly. Bulma was going to let all this affect her own future?

(Change scene)

June tossed the snowball across the yard and laughed as she hit Vegeta square in the back. She hadn't really spent time in a place with snow, and she was finding that she rather enjoyed it. He turned slowly to glare at her, and she waved at him. Gohan laughed from his hiding spot next to her.

"You got him good, Auntie June," he called out.

"You bet I did," she told him, exchanging a high-five with the little boy.

"You're both going to pay for that," Vegeta warned them, bending down to make another snowball. Just as he picked it up and pulled his arm back to launch it at them, the front door opened quickly and then slammed shut loudly. The small group playing in the yard looked up and spotted Bulma standing on the landing just outside the front door of her parents' house, her arms hugging her upper body tightly to keep warm.

June brushed a loose strand of her bleach blond hair behind an ear and walked across the yard and up the steps to give Bulma a comforting hug. Bulma sighed, fighting the urge to burst into tears yet again as she buried her face into her friend's shoulder.

"It's going to be alright, B," she whispered soothingly. "We're here for you."

Bulma nodded before pulling away slightly. "I know," she spoke softly, trying to give off a small smile, but failing miserably. "But you and Vegeta need to go back to school."

"What are you talking about?" Vegeta demanded from next to them. He'd managed to sneak up on to the porch without them noticing. Gohan was acting as his honorary uncle's shadow, almost leaning up against Vegeta's leg, and he was staring up at his aunt with his huge, puppy-like eyes.

"You both have classes, and you shouldn't be here wasting your time," she told them, averting her sapphire gaze to the wood slates that made up the floor. "I'm not going back to San Callisto."

"What!" June yelled. "Bulma, that's idiotic. What are you thinking?"

Vegeta remained silent as the two girls continued to argue over why Bulma didn't want to go back to California, and he could see why she didn't wish to go back to there. The place held some really bad memories for her, but a part of him thought she was taking things a bit too far. This was her future she was screwing around with. Was she really going to let all her hard work and intelligence go to hell because of Yamcha? He scowled.

"Fine. You're not going back," he spoke up, startling everyone. They ceased their bickering and were glancing at him expectantly. "I'm not going to stick around here and try to change your mind. There's no point."

"Vegeta?" June cut in worriedly. He wasn't helping matters in her opinion.

"Come on, 18. You know its true. She's too damn stubborn. There's no point in us sticking around. We've got our own classes and our own lives ahead of us." He moved past them toward the door. "If she wants in on that, then she knows how to reach us. I'm going to pack."

Bulma bit her trembling lower lip painfully, trying her hardest not burst into tears. He was really mad at her. She could tell it, but she didn't really care much at the moment. She turned to June and swallowed the lump in her throat painfully. "You should go pack, too," was all she said before walking toward her sister's car to wait for Chichi to finish talking to their mother. This might possibly be the last time Bulma would see June or Vegeta, and even though they were the closest friends she'd ever had, a part of her blamed them in a way for her failed relationship. She just couldn't find it in herself to care anymore.

(Change scene, Philadelphia, March 28th)

"Do you, Marron, take Krillin to be your lawfully wedded husband, for rich or for poor? For sickness, and in health? 'Til death do you part, as long as you both shall live?" The pastor's voice echoed throughout the room.

Marron lifted her beautiful blue eyes, brimming happily with tears to meet Krillin's dark brown gaze. He had that damned mischievous grin of his on his face, and she smiled uncontrollably, trying not to laugh or cry as she answered. "I do."

"By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and… wife," he ended with a slight laugh as he witnessed Krillin already had Marron in his arms, and the new couple were kissing passionately. The congregation was standing a clapping loudly. "You can stop kissing the bride now." Everyone laughed.

Marron pulled away slightly embarrassed in front of the religious leader, but continued smiling like a mad woman up at her husband. Krillin kissed her again quickly and pulled her into a hug.

"I love you," he whispered against her ear.

She blinked rapidly and the tears slipped down her flushed cheeks. "I love you, too, Krillin."

Launch and Tien gathered around then. "Party time, guys," Launch told them, handing Marron her bouquet of pink and white roses. She hugged her firmly. "I'm so happy for you, Mar. Krillin's such a great guy."

Krillin whisked his bride away from her best friend and smiled. "No more flirting with me, Launch. I'm a married man now," he joked.

Tien laughed. "Yeah, and you're spoken for, ya' know," he reminded his fiancé.

Launch stuck her tongue out at her soon-to-be husband and slipped her arm through his. "Let's go. The limo's waiting."

(Change scene, San Callisto University, April 13th)

The blond haired girl stared out the window with a bored expression on her face and sighed. Things were so boring now that Bulma wasn't around, and she despised her new roommate with a passion! She was one of those ditzy stoner girls.

"This seat taken?"

Startled, June glanced up to see none other than Chad Hamilton. He had a smile on his face, and she couldn't help but smile in return. It was infectious with him—always had been. She quickly sent a glance across the table to Vegeta, but he was too busy reading a new book to really notice what was going on around him. June scooted over so Chad could sit down in the booth with them.

"Sure," she told him.

Chad slipped in next to her, setting his tray in front of him. He was staring intently down at his meal, and June wondered what he had to say. He had to want something. She nudged him gently in the side, and he turned to face her.

"What is it?"

"I was wondering if we could talk." He looked over at Vegeta, who hadn't taken his nose out of his book. "Privately. Tonight?"

"Oh," June responded lamely. "Well, I'm working tonight, so that's not going to be possible. Can't we just talk now?"

"But what about Vegeta?"

June frowned. "Trust me. He's in la-la land right now. The building could come crashing down around him, and he wouldn't notice." To prove her point, she reached over and shoved Vegeta's backpack off the table onto the bench. He continued read, only shifting slightly in his seat. "See?"

Chad couldn't help but laugh. "I got ya'." He took a sip of his soda. "I've missed you a lot lately," he admitted. "I know you don't want to hear that. I've done some terrible things to you in the past."

"Chad?"

He held up a hand. "I know I don't have the right to ask, but can you please just hear me out?"

June sighed and nodded slowly. "Okay."

"I'm asking for one more chance. I screwed up before. This time I want a completely open and honest relationship with you." He paused for a moment. "I just feel like there's something special between us still. No one knows me like you do, and," Chad trailed off, holding her gaze intently. "I know you better than anyone, except maybe your brother," he joked.

She chuckled slightly despite the heaviness of the conversation. He'd never come to her like this in the past. He'd never admitted to his faults before, and he sounded really sincere. Could she trust him again after so many failed attempts before? Sure, they'd been on speaking terms since the second semester had started back up, and she couldn't recall seeing him with any girls hanging all over him like in the past. Perhaps…

"I'll have to think about, Chad," she finally replied. "And if I agree, things have got to move more slowly than they ever have before. I've got to learn to trust you again."

"I understand that." He took a hold of her hand and gave it a gently squeeze. "I'm going to let you get back to your lunch. I'll see you in class later?"

She nodded, watching him get up and sling his backpack over his shoulder. "Sure. Save me a seat."

"Will do." He waved at her and walked away with his tray.

The sound of a book slapping shut jogged her from her thoughts, and she glanced over at Vegeta. He yawned and stretched his arms. A frown marred his features as he took in her thoughtful look. "What's your problem?" He demanded.

"Chad was just here."

Vegeta looked slightly taken aback. "He was?"

June nodded and rolled her eyes. Every since they'd returned to San Callisto, Vegeta had been in such a funk. He immersed himself fully in his class work, reading books, and music. He only talked to June, and it wasn't often that he did. She returned to looking out the window, wondering what Bulma was up to. She called her once a week, but Bulma was always conveniently busy or out, so she ended up talking to Chichi.

Apparently, Bulma was working her ass off. She had a job at some local bank as a teller, and she was using her immense knowledge to help Goku and Radditz with their paperwork for their business during her free time. Plus, she was babysitting. Chichi had told June that she figured Bulma was just running herself ragged to keep her mind off Yamcha.

She wished Bulma would call her back. She missed her a lot, and she knew Vegeta missed her even more. He wasn't the same. He was just kind of out of it anymore. "We should get going. We've both got class in fifteen minutes," she told him, gathering her things.

Vegeta picked up his things as well, and the two of them walked out of the noisy cafeteria. "So what did he want?"

"Huh?"

"Chad. What did he want?"

"Oh! Nothing really." She didn't feel like talking right now for some reason.

"Didn't sound like nothing."

"I'm surprised you could hear. I thought you were in your usual catatonic state," she shot back.

"You're going to get back with him?"

"I don't know yet!"

"I was just asking."

"Well ask me something else because I don't want to talk about that right now."

"Fine." He opened his mouth, but they were cut off by June's cellphone.

The blond quickly dug the phone out of her bag and checked the caller ID. "Holy shit! It's Bulma." She quickly answered it. "Hello!"

Vegeta stopped next to her and watched the other students walking past them. Everyone was in a rush today. "Bulma, calm down," he heard June say. He returned his attention back to her.

"Don't worry about it. I understand. You were going through a lot." June paused, listening to whatever it was that was being said. "We're both good. We miss you though."

Vegeta glared at her for dragging him into the conversation like that, but she pointedly ignored him and continued her conversation with Bulma. "How've you been?"

(Change scene, London, June 7th)

Arthos stepped out of his car, donning a pair of dark sunglasses and baseball cap. He couldn't go anywhere without being noticed. He smirked down at the flowers in his hand. The women at the floral shop had almost fainted when he'd walked in. Taking the steps two at a time, he stopped in front of the large, white door and pushed the doorbell. A minute later, a young boy with platinum blonde hair greeted him.

"Hello?"

Arthos grinned. This was Jarec, Akira's little brother. "Hey, there. I'm looking for Akira. Is she home?"

Jarec opened the door the rest of the way, nodding to the man before him. "She's out back on the terrace with mother. Come on in." Arthos stepped into the house, and Jarec closed the door. "You're Arthos Ries, aren't you?"

"That's right."

The young boy grinned. "She really likes you. You're all she talks about," he whispered.

The sound of a door opening and closing startled them, and they looked up to see Akira standing at the end of the hallway. She had her hands on her hips and was glaring at her younger brother. "What have I told you about letting strangers into the house?"

"But he's not! It's your boyfriend," he yelled back in a singsong voice.

Akira had recognized that it was Arthos, but he brother couldn't have known. She turned to Arthos as he was taking off his glasses and hat. "Did he ask you who you were before he let you in?" She demanded.

The actor squirmed under the pressure of two sets of silvery eyes staring at him expectantly. "I plead the 5th," he said, stepping back while holding up his hands in defense.

Akira sighed audibly. "That's what I thought." She stormed down the hall and gave Jarec a hard look. "You've got to be more careful, Jar. Go sit down and think about it in the dinning room," she scolded.

The little boy rushed out of the room to do as he was told. Arthos smiled slightly. "Don't be so rough on him."

"He lets anyone in the house. He's not even supposed to be answering the door," she replied angrily. Her eyes fell to the white roses in her boyfriend's hand, and her features immediately softened. "They're beautiful."

He smirked. "You think? I got them for this girl I know. You wouldn't happen to know where I could find her, would ya'?"

Akira just shook her head with a smile on her face. "Ass."

(Change scene, Lily Lake, July 30th)

Bulma opened her car door and tossed her purse onto the passenger's seat. She was exhausted. She'd been up since four o'clock this morning, and she'd already put in an eight-hour shift at the bank. She glanced quickly at her watch. It was a little past three, and she had to make it to the school to pick up Gohan for her sister. She had a few minutes, though, so she slipped into the driver's seat and grabbed her cellphone. Hopefully, it wasn't too early to get 18 on the line.

"Hey, B," came the friendly voice of her best friend.

"What's going on, 18?"

"Nothing much. Just packing some things. I have to go down to the post office, so I thought I'd send a couple boxes out. My brother can pick them up and hold them at his place for a while."

Bulma smiled at the thought. "Yeah. I can't believe it. One more week."

"I know! I have so much to do. Vegeta's supposed to pick me up Monday afternoon. That gives me only two days to get all my things around."

"Talk about last minute switches, eh?" Bulma joked.

"I still can't believe its worked out like this. All of us together, in New York," June spoke happily. "It's still cool with you, right?"

Bulma laughed. "Yes! I think New York is the perfect place for us, but hey! I've got to go pick up my nephew. Call me tonight?"

"Sure thing!"

(Change scene, New York City, August 5th)

Vegeta plopped down on his bed and sighed. He was physically exhausted and there was no doubt he'd be sleeping tonight for a change. They'd finally finished moving everyone's things into the townhouse his father had let them all live in. He still couldn't believe they had all managed to transfer. Bulma and June were attending the Art Institute with Karra and Jayson, Chad was going to NYU, and Vegeta had decided to go to Columbia. It'd all worked out well.

"Vegeta?"

Yawning, he sat up to see Bulma standing in his doorway. She had her pajamas on already, and she looked just as tired as he felt. "What?"

She smiled slightly and walked over to sit next to him. "I just wanted to let you know I was done in the bathroom if you wanted to use it."

He nodded, yawning again and rubbing his face with his hands. "Yeah."

Bulma frowned. "Are you okay? You look so run-down."

"I'm tired."

"Then go to bed. We've got all weekend before we have start classes. You don't need to finish situating everything tonight."

"I suppose you're right," he mumbled. Sure, they'd been talking since April again, but they'd never really resolved their main issues because he hadn't felt it was something to talk about over the phone. He'd wanted that discussion to be face to face, but Bulma hadn't wanted that. Today was the first time they'd seen each other in eight months.

"Did you really want to come here?" She asked him suddenly.

He looked over at her and scowled. "I am not getting into this tonight. I'm too tired for it," he snapped, standing up and pulling off his shirt.

Bulma ignored his snippy attitude and went on as he stripped down to his boxers and got into his bed. "Well, when do you plan on talking about it?"

"Preferably when I don't have a pounding headache," he shot back angrily. "Which considering that I live with you now, may make it hard to schedule."

"Why you little jerk!" Bulma turned toward him ready to pounce on him and wring his neck, but instead, she was dumbfounded. He was smirking at her and trying not to laugh. Her mouth opened, and then she closed it, not sure what to say. "You're screwing with me."

"It's possible," he responded smugly.

"I can't believe you!"

"Look," he started, his tone turning serious. "Let's not get all mushy. You know I hate that shit."

"Okay."

"Good. Now unless you're going to sleep in here, get out. I'm going to bed."

Bulma glared at him as he turned off the lamp on the nightstand next to him. "Jerk," she whispered, but surprisingly, she found herself crawling up the bed to slip under the covers next to him.

She felt a bit awkward. She'd never shared a bed with anyone but Yamcha before, and she wasn't exactly sure where her and Vegeta stood. Yamcha and her were over. She hadn't heard from him since Christmas, and she had finally come to admit around Easter that she had very strong feelings for Vegeta. He cared for her, and he wanted to be with her. She knew that, but was she ready to move on.

Next to her, Vegeta stared at the ceiling through the darkness. He somehow knew what was going through her head. He sighed. He hated mushiness, but he supposed it had to be said. "If you're not ready for this, it's fine," he mumbled. "It's not as if I'm going anywhere, woman."

Bulma turned onto her side, now facing him, and smiled slightly. "Thanks, Vegeta."

"Whatever. Are we finished here? Can I go to bed now?"

Chuckling, Bulma leaned over him slightly. "I am ready, you know," she told him, gazing down into his bottomless eyes. "I don't think I would have let myself come here and face you if I wasn't," she whispered.

He smirked up at her, his hand sliding gently across her right cheek. Bulma closed her eyes and leaned into his caress. How many times had she wanted to be in such a situation with him like this? Yamcha had always been in her thoughts, though, but he wasn't anymore. She was free to move on.

Vegeta moved his hand to the back of her neck, pulling her toward him quickly, and he finally kissed her like he'd been wanting to for months now, since the first time they'd meant!

(Change scene, August 8th)

June handed Bulma a textbook from the top shelf. "That's the last one." She glanced around the bookstore. "We need to go to the art supply store next."

"Good idea. I don't have any supplies."

"You're really sure you want to change your major to Fashion Design? You're really smart, B, and there's tons of great technical schools around."

Bulma smiled. "I'm sure. You know I love clothes just as much as you do."

"But you don't pay much attention to the biz," June teased as they stood in line to purchase their books.

"I can learn all that stuff, and I know the certain things, 18."

"I know." They handed their books to the clerk and waited patiently for him to ring them up. "So, Vegeta's taking you to meet some of his friends tonight?"

"Yeah. They're playing a gig at some club. I can't remember the name. Anyway, they asked him to play with them since he's back in town."

June laughed. "I didn't even realize he played guitar until you left San Callisto," she confessed. "I walked into the shop one Monday, and he was in the back playing. I was really surprised."

Bulma nodded. "Don't feel bad. I knew, but I've never actually seen him play. He never touched it when I was around. I'm looking forward to it tonight, though."

"Good!" They paid for their books and walked out of the busy store. "So, you guys are good?" June inquired cautiously.

"Yeah, we're good. It was like nothing ever happened. What about you and Chad?"

"Good. Taking things slow for a change has been really good for us. We talk like we use to when we first started going out in high school, and I think he's adjusting well to New York. He likes it here."

"Then I'd say things are working out perfectly for us for a change."

"There you two are," they heard a disgruntled voice call out from behind them.

They stopped and turned to greet Vegeta with matching smiles. He slipped in arm around Bulma's waist and pulled her close with one arm and handed a long, white envelope to June with his other. Bulma glanced at the envelope curiously. He always seemed to have something up his sleeve.

"What's that?" She asked him, wrapping her arms around him.

"It's from my mother," he told them.

June carefully ripped open the letter and pulled out three tickets. Her eyes instantly went wide, and before anyone knew it, she was hugging Vegeta and Bulma tightly and jumping up and down.

"I can't believe this!"

Bulma snatched the tickets and froze. "NYC Fashion Week," she read in a shocked voice. "These are all week passes!"

Vegeta rolled his eyes. "Well you are majoring in it now. Maybe you might learn something useful," he taunted.

"I'd kick you, but I'm in too good of a mood," she shot back. "Where's you're phone. I want to call your mother and thank her."

He handed it to her, and she hit the speed dial. June grinned at him, and he glared back at her. "What?"

"Well, there are three tickets here, so one must be for you."

"Hardy-har-har," he replied sarcastically. "It's for Kara, you idiot. I have better ideas on how to waste time, and going to some stupid fashion show isn't one of them."

"Huh? I figured you'd go to gawk at all the half naked women."

He looked thoughtful for a moment. "Well, when you put it that way. Ow!" He turned and glared at Bulma. "You punched me in the back!"

"I might be on the phone, but I can't still hear you, Vegeta!" She thrust his cellphone into his face. "You're mother wants to talk to you."

"Oh joy," he said, snatching it from her hand. "What do you want?"

Bulma and June laughed as he started walking away. "He's back to himself again, thank god," June stated happily.

(End)

Well, there you are! The next part will be coming out soon. 'Drive by Love'!

PANDORA ;-)