Fists clenched tightly on the leather cover of the steering wheel, so tightly in fact that his knuckles were going white and the skin threatened to stretch beyond all repair. His mood was foul, fouler than it had ever been in his life. And over what? Over the woman that laid in his bed with her daughter? She was just a woman, and a complication.

For the month that she had been living in his house Vegeta had totally forgotten about getting his younger sister off the streets, and that was something that shouldn't have been forgotten. Skidding to a sudden stop as the amber streetlight turned red his fists pounded on the steering wheel, lips tightening into a deep scowl. No matter how hard he wanted too, Vegeta couldn't push away the fact that Bulma was in his bed and had been bleeding all over his floor. It was his floor and he should be the only one that should be allowed to bleed all over it. Not her. He was becoming too attached to the azure haired woman and her little daughter.

She shouldn't have come into his life. Everything would have been that much simpler if he hadn't gotten involved. Revving the Mustangs engine he waiting impatiently for the light to turn green and when it did his tired screeched along the asphalt leaving behind smoking tire tracks. Music pumped from his car and as much as he tried to stay angry at Bulma, the thumping melodies of 'Disturbed' soothed his battered soul. He was losing his edge and that couldn't happen. He wouldn't let it. He needed everything that he could gather to get his sister off the street and if that meant that he was going to go around and blow off every last man's head that had touched her in any way, then so be it.

But guilt was starting to eat away at him. He shouldn't have left Bulma alone in his house. He should be there with her, but it didn't make any difference. Or it shouldn't have made any difference, but it did. He would never be able to shake the image of her head bouncing off the hardwood floor in the living room, blood flowing freely from the large gash that ran from the side of her right breast all the way down to her navel, nor would he be able to forget the way her lips started to become pale as the puddle of blood that was under her began to grow. Once the doctor had been called and Bulma's wound stitched up, Vegeta placed Rayne beside her mother, called Goku and then left as soon as their mutual friend arrived.

And the guy was smart. He didn't try to stop Vegeta in his quest. If he couldn't find his sister then he was going to find someone to take his aggravation out on. It wasn't healthy to harbor all of the negative feelings that he was harboring and he knew that. His mind was starting to break down and his body was becoming sick. He wouldn't allow himself to get sick though. He needed to stay strong in his search for his sisters freedom. Maybe he could buy it. Maybe he could buy his sisters freedom, but she would hate him. No matter what he decided, his sister was going to hate him for the rest of her life.

All of the anger flooded from his veins and Vegeta found himself thirsty and in need of a good stiff drink. Slamming on the breaks and turning the steering wheel to the left, he flew down a side-street and then with another left, popped up on the main drag. Ah, a club, perfect. Swerving his car to the curb, he cut the engine and stepped out of the car. The lineup wrapped around the side of the building. This was going to be difficult to get into. "Vegeta!" A voice called from the stairway into the club. Turning his head, he nodded in the direction of the voice. Black hair was piled up onto her head and her brown eyes were thick with black liner. She lifted her chin in his direction, flicked away her cigarette and forced the smoke out of her lungs with a sigh.

The bouncer grabbed onto his arm and yanked him up the stairs, pushing him into the woman that had called his name. "Vegeta, darling. I was wondering when you were going to come by and see me."

"Back off Keri. I don't need your shit right now."

"Come on Vegeta, you know that I could give you a good time."

"I'm sure that you could, but like I said, I don't need your shit right now."

Keri pouted, her large bottom lip jutting out. "Aww, but you know that you want to play with me. Why don't you just give into the temptation and let me do all the work."

He growled and sighed. Sure she was beautiful and knew what buttons to press, and how to press them, but he wasn't in the mood...yet. "C'mon, let's go get a few drinks first and catch up." He barked out to her, grabbing a hold around her waist and pulling her up against him. Her giggles entered his ear and no matter how hard he tried to fight it, his body was starting to respond to the dark vixen.

"I've got a table. I know where it is, but you don't. Make sure you follow close or else you might get lose and I don't think I would like that. Remember to stay close." She grabbed his hand and pulled him through the thick crowd of people, elbowing those that wouldn't get out of her way and gave Vegeta enough time to admire her outfit. Long legs were left bare, save for the micro-mini skirt that covered just enough to be called a skirt, though it really was nothing more than an oversized belt done up in red plaid. Silver hoops hung off her hips in a belt, cocked at an angle from her right down to her left and to complete the outfit, she wore a white 3/4 sleeve shirt and nothing underneath. He could hear the clicking of her almost needle-thin boots tapping against the floor if he blocked out all else around him.

She was hot he'd give her that. She pressed him into a chair and looked down at him from her standing position. "Ah, you never really change do you? I should hope not, though I'm slightly disappointed you cut off your hair. Though I suppose it'll grow back right?"

"Right."

"So what's this I hear that you've got some chick living in your house, and that chick isn't me?" She pressed a drink into his hand and he slammed it back without so much as glancing at it. He didn't care what it was, as long as it was able to get his mind off of the horrifying thoughts that his mind was coming up with everytiume he so much as took a breath. His life was going down the drain.

"Another drink?" Some nameless, faceless figure asked as she passed.

"Just bring me the whole fucking bottle." He muttered, pushing the glass around the table.

"Vegeta, darling, you're not answering my question."

"I haven't given your question any thought but yes. There is a woman living in my house. Do you have a problem with that?"

"No, but I wish that you would have told me. I'm sure that I'd like to get to know the little slut that has gone and won your affection away from me."

"Don't call her that."

"Don't call her what?"

"A slut. She's not that. In fact I'm starting to think that she's not interested in guys at all." You're so full of shit, it's disgusting. She's interested in you, and you know it.

"Well, that's nice. But rumor has it that she's all ready got a kid, and how old is she? Can't be too much older than 17."

"So what? If you met...thank you." There was a bottle of vodka in front of him now, along with a glass of water. Breaking the seal to the bottle, he unscrewed the cap and placed the bottle to his lips. Closing his eyes and opening his throat, he let the liquid food his stomach, burning a trail from his throat to his gut. If you... met Rayne then you wouldn't say anything bad against her. She's just a total sweetheart. Too bad her mother keeps getting herself into trouble." He took another long swallow causing Keri's brows to arch up. Something was bothering him. Normally he'd stay away from vodka due to a few upheaving experiences that he'd had in the past.

"All right Vegeta, talk."

"Talk? Talk about what?"

"What's bothering you?"

"Nothing." He rubbed his eyes and took another swig from the bottle. It seemed to be getting lighter in his hands and he was starting to wonder why. He knew how to hold his alcohol...unless it was vodka and he had no reason why the dolt of a waitress brought it to him. But it was doing its job. He was starting to forget all that bothered him.

"All right. But I suggest you cool it on the bottle there for a few minutes. It's almost halfway, and you're starting to scare me. You're not even slurring or anything like that. Maybe you're learning that vodka can be your friend?"

"Maybe. Who cares. I don't. What's new with you Keri?

"You know the same old stuff."

"How thrilling."

"Vegeta, darling. Why don't you just tell me what's wrong and maybe you'll be able to enjoy the night."

He slammed the bottle onto the table and pushed himself away. Standing up, he placed both hands onto the flat surface and leaned over looking at Keri. "Maybe I don't want to enjoy it...but then again, maybe I do. I just don't want to talk about me all right? Got it slut?"

Keri giggled again and stood up. "Let's dance." She was about to tug him onto the dance floor when he stopped and turned around. The glass bottle was once more in his hand. Oh well, if that was going to loosen him up, then it was just going to have to work. He took another swallow as she found them an empty patch on the floor and pressed herself against him. His feet refused to move as she wrapped her arms around his neck drawing him tighter against her body, though his empty hand found its way to her bum and grabbed a firm hold, lifting her onto her toes. "Oh!" she purred against him.

He closed his eyes and danced with her the best that he could, though the world had started to take on a lopsided look every time he opened his eyes, so he refused to let them open again. Her face was everywhere in the crowd, and he didn't want that. He wasn't going to let her ruin his night.

Why was he fooling himself, his night was all ready ruined. It decided to ruin itself when he refused to go and look for his sister. Bulma was all ready hurt, and he didn't need to get himself into the same position she was in. Someone was going to have to look after the little nymph that had wormed her way into his heart. A smile tugged his lips upwards as he lifted the bottle to his lips as Keri took the opportunity of his turned head to nibble along his jaw. The more he swallowed, the more she nibbled; yet the more she nibbled, the more he swallowed. What a twisted circle. Pulling the bottle away from his lips, he let out a little burp.

They danced away on the floor bodies bumping, limbs twisting and melding together. For the first time that night, he placed his cheek against her head and inhaled her scent. The fog that had surrounded his brain lifted slightly and a pang of guilt rushed forward once again. She smelled like Bulma, in fact the vodka on his tongue tasted like Bulma as well. That was it, he needed to get rid of the woman once and for all. If vodka wasn't going to work, then maybe Keri would. Dropping the empty bottle onto the floor, he pulled the woman against him by grabbing her bottom in both hands and pulling her roughly up to him. His lips fell upon hers, forcing her mouth to yield under his. His tongue swept over hers, exploring the roof of her mouth, the back of her teeth until she pulled away, breathless.

"Mmm, I see that you still haven't lost your touch there love. Let's go back to the table and have another drink."

"Whatever." People seemed to move out of his way quite easily as his elbows plowed into their ribs, or his feet lashed out to meet their shins. They made it back to the table in record time. He sat himself in the chair was nestled into the corner glad that the shadows had hidden him from the room. He felt eyes watching him. Great, now he was becoming paranoid. This wasn't going to do at all. He needed to get out of this place, and he needed to get out of here now. Maybe he could get Keri to leave as well and take him back to her place.

But Keri knew that if she were to leave before the night was over, then she wouldn't get paid. She wasn't a whore, but she was hired on to keep the men...entertained for the evening. She pulled her chair closer to his and placed a hand on this thigh, rubbing it in small circles. His body slid down in the chair without thinking, wanting to get her touch in certain other places. Fresh drinks were on the table and she picked it up, ignoring him as her brown eyes scanned the crowd for people that she knew.

Two could play at that game. Picking up the glass that was in his place, he swallowed it down with ease and slammed it back onto the table. It seemed that his cup had no bottom as it was filled up again, and again. Keri matched him drink for drink and soon the pair of them were beyond talking as she moved into his lap. Apparently she had enough of the coy game she was playing and he was playing in return. "Oh Vegeta..." she moaned against his ear, legs wrapping themselves around his chair, pinning him to it, and her to him. She moved against him and he returned the movement, causing her to let out a little purr of pleasure.

Her lips sought, and found his as they lost themselves into the passionate kiss that had been spurred to life by the little vixen in his lap. Hands found themselves in her shirt, skirting around the taunt flesh of her bare stomach and were just about to settle on the things that they itched for the most when the warmth in his lap was ripped away from him with a startled scream.

Keri was on the floor with a hand tangled in her hair and three people stood in front of Vegeta. "I should have known. When your life gets remotely complicated you heard tot eh bar and find some little skank to fuck. Go figure Vegeta."

He narrowed his eyes, trying to figure out who the people were but names didn't come to the enraged faces of the women in front of him. "Do I know you?"

"OW! Let me go you fucking bitch!" Keri growled from the floor, only to have her ehad jerked back.

"The next time I even see you around Vegeta, you're going to feel my foot on your ass for the rest of your life you fucking little slut. Now get he fuck out of my sight before I decide to use you as a punching bag." The blonde haired woman hauled Keri up easily and threw her into a mob of passing people.

"Do I know you?" He asked again, unsure if the women in front of him had heard his question or not.

"Of course you know us, but apparently the booze that you've been drinking has gone straight to your head, and I'm not talking about the one that's on your shoulders either. You're pathetic you know that? Bulma is at home, and she's fucking sick all right? Goku called the doctor back to your place when a fever broke out but it's a good thing that she's all right, otherwise you'd have us to deal with. Now give me your fucking keys and let's get out of here."

"I'm not leaving until you tell me who you are."

The three women laughed as the blonde sent her fist flying into his face. A grunt of pain issued forth from his mouth, but he didn't move. "I don't care. Beat me up for all I care. I don't give a damn."

"You're repeating yourself, did you know that?"

"I don't care. Tell me who you are, and I might leave with you. Hey, are you more of Keri's friends? You know, you didn't have to scare her off like that. She was just doing what your boss told her to do." His face became hot, really, really hot and his vision became first double, and then triple. The people in front of him multiplied quicker than he could blink.

"Did...did you just call me a slut. Because if you did, which I know you didn't, I'd have to put your fucking drunk ass into the hospital, and then who would look after Rayne when she wakes up? Surely you cannot expect Bulma to do something like that when she's got a huge gash on her stomach."

"18?" Vegeta asked, leaning forward.

"You know who I am. Now let's go."

"I'm not done my drink yet."

"You've had enough..." a soft voice came from behind 18. It seemed that Star and Chi-Chi were there as well. Great, so Goku had called the women to come and get him.

"No. Not enough!" He pushed himself up out of the chair and pushed his way through the three women and walked to the bar. "More vodka. Bottle." He grumbled as the cold glass bottle was placed in his hand again. Breaking the seal, he started to swallow and didn't stop until half the bottle had made its way into his stomach. 18 ripped the bottle away from him and held it behind her back.

"You can get this when you get into the car. But not before."

"Gimme duh obble." he hiccupped, reaching to 18 though stopping short as Star grabbed his hands. Her eyes pleaded with his and he knew that he had to go. So much as he didn't want too, somewhere in the back of his mind, he knew that he had to go. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a wad of money and held it out to Star, who pulled out a large bill and handed it to the bartender.

"We don't know what he drank, but he's well beyond more drinking. Thank you for not kicking him out...."

The three of them had a hard time dragging the drunk Vegeta out of the club and down the stairs. His car was parked crookedly on the street, a sign that Vegeta was in a pissed off mood before he came to the club. 18 and Star tossed him into the backseat of the car with little ceremony and silenced his protests when they pulled the seatbelt across his lap. "We are going to be driving to your house and we don't need to get into an accident or get hauled in by the cops. So you can sit back here and nurse yourself into a drunken stupor with your vodka bottle if you agree on being a good boy. Do you think you can handle that?" Chi-Chi asked, voice cold.

"Yush mommy. I be good boy. Obble peas!" He cooed out, hands stretching and grasping thin air for the bottle. When it was in his hands and Chi-Chi sitting beside him, he took a large swallow and closed his eyes. Life at this point in time was perfect. He vaguely remembered who the people in the car with him were, but a few more hefty swallows and they'd be complete strangers again. He hiccupped again and Chi-Chi looked at him. Heaving a sigh she leaned over him unconscious pressing her breasts to his arms as she rolled down the window.

Grinning like a cat who had stuffed the canary in its mouth, he cupped one of Chi-Chi's mounds in his hand. She screamed when he pinched her clothed flesh and pulled herself away from him. Dark eyes narrowing she smiled prettily at first Star and then at 18 through the rearview mirror then threw a right hook at Vegeta, catching him on the jaw. He burst out laughing and took another swallow. "Pig." Chi-Chi grumbled, rubbing her chest.

"Oink...oink!" Vegeta cooed out swallowing another large portion of the bottle. Suddenly he didn't feel so god and was glad that the woman sitting across the seat from him decided to open up the window as he dropped the bottle onto the floor and turned his head as he heaved what little contents there was in his stomach. After every heave, he laughed, not sure if he was really throwing up, or if he was making it up. Either way, it was still funny to him.

All the women groaned as Vegeta continued to heave, decorating the side of his car along with the road with his vodka-induced puke. The drive to Vegeta's couldn't have been over any quicker and as soon as the car came to a halt Chi-Chi was racing out of the car. Goku and Mitch were waiting outside for the car and walked towards it slowly when they saw the vomit on the side of the car.

"Drinking. Again." 18 growled out as she got out of the car and slammed the door shut with her foot.

"Obviously. Looks slightly out of his tree. Mitch, let's get him inside and into bed."

"No bed for him Master Goku, he's not done his upheaving. The bathtub is just the place for him." Mitch exclaimed opening Vegeta's door. Star rolled her eyes and leaned back into the car to pick up the vodka bottle that had been neglected and took a swig of it herself. She passed the bottle to 18 who passed it to Chi-Chi. None of them had seen their friend and they didn't think that they'd be able to hold up against the devastating sight they were about to encounter.

"How is she?" Star asked quietly.

"Better. I think. She started dreaming and pushed Rayne out of bed and then she started crying and Bulma shot up screaming, and then she broke out in a fever and then I called the doctor...and then I called out guys to go out and look for Vegeta..."

"Almost missed the club he went too. Would have if Chi here hadn't spotted his car. Had to haul some whore off of him. God, he's a mess. I doubt he'd even look at the slut who was sitting in his lap if it hadn't been for the booze in his system. He was already smashed when we got there. Had to bribe him into the car with the rest of the vodka he was drinking from the bottle." Star whispered softly. She looked towards the house and then to the girls, who nodded their heads.

Each took a hold of another's hand as they walked up the stairs and into the house. Star knew that there was something wrong when Isis wouldn't listen to Bulma's command, but she didn't want to offend her blue-haired friend. She should have stayed behind and helped with something, anything. Rayne didn't even like the person that Bulma had once called her best friend.

She pushed open the door to Vegeta's room and was about to step inside when a growl came from under the bed. Luna was in there and Isis was standing behind the door but when the dogs saw who they were they became quiet. It seemed that they were taking their job very seriously and weren't going to let anyone inside to harm Bulma.

She lay flat on her back, no pillow under her head to keep her stomach flat, face swollen from the blows it had gotten from Cara. Star tightened her hand on Chi-Chi's and felt fingers responding as they all looked down at their battered friend. "That bitch is going to pay." Star vowed on a breath.

The two other women nodded their heads and turned from the room to walk back down to the living room. Mitch had made some coffee and set it out for them and as they sat, they said nothing. Bulma's perfect face haunted them and will forever be imbedded in their memories. After their coffee was done they decided who was going to stay to look after Bulma and Rayne while Bulma was healing. Star opted for herself and the other two nodded their heads. Star's parents didn't care what she did and 18 still had yet to totally befriend Blue. Everything was going to be different from now on.

And Star was the only one that knew how to deal with Vegeta when he had a hang over. A devious smirk had fallen onto her lips as she thought of all the fun things she'd get to do while Vegeta was in the clutches of agony the next day. Saying goodnight to everyone, they all went their separate ways, Chi-Chi into Goku's car, 18 into her own and Star into one of the many guest bedrooms. She pulled off her shoes and propped herself up with pillows behind her back so she would be able to see Bulma from where she was, having opened both bedroom doors so she could see when Bulma woke up and keep her from moving about. What she hadn't planned on was falling into a deep sleep after the trying night that she had just escaped from.

Pain startled her awake and when she tried to open her eyes she found that one was swollen shut and the other was tender with the morning light that seeped through the open curtains. She went to sit up and muffled a pained yelp as she bend the freshly stitched wound to her stomach. The fight with Cara was still fresh on her mind and as she swung her legs from the bed and onto the floor with great difficulty she managed to pull herself from on her back to her feet.

Isis and Luna snored away happily at the foot of the large four poster bed and her daughter was still sleeping. Mindful not to stretch Bulma looked around the room and saw that Vegeta was nowhere in sight. In fact she recalled Goku talking on the phone beside her to someone asking them to go and find Vegeta.

So he had run off when she needed him the most. How like Vegeta. She turned and walked slowly from the room after spying Star asleep and the early hour on the clock. She didn't know how long she had been sleeping for but Bulma knew that if she ignored her bladder any longer she'd have to explain why the sheets were wet. Walking back into the room she turned on the light to the bathroom and heard a groggy moan coming from the bathtub. Turning it off she relieved the pressure in the darkness and pulled herself back up with the help of the sink.

He did look cute sleeping in the bathtub, left arm and leg flung over the edge of the tub. Buts he was still hurt with him. Was it in his nature to hurt everything that was in his life? He treated his friends like dirt and continuously hurt her. Hurting her was one thing, bu he would apologize for hurting her and turn around and do it again!

She was never going to understand that man. Bulma knew that she shouldn't be up and walking about but the thought of lying back down in bed sickened her, and then her stomach grumbled. Rolling her eyes towards the ceiling she gingerly made her way throughout the house, careful not to wake anyone as she made herself some coffee and grabbed whatever she could find that was within reaching distance. Which wasn't much. An apple and a container of cherry yogurt, add coffee to that and she had herself a light breakfast. Grabbing a spoon from the drawer, she picked her way up the stairs again and shut herself into the study she had taken over.

If she couldn't sleep then she would paint. Rayne wouldn't be up for another 5 hours, as it was only 5:45 am and she figured that Star would sleep until she woke up, and Vegeta, judging by the state he was in, would sleep until whatever he had intoxicated himself with left his system. So she had a few hours to herself.

Her mind refused to think as she picked up her brush and set it to the canvas that was in front of her. She refused to let her mind think or do anything but concentrate on the picture before her. Tears made her eyes itchy but she refused to let them fall. Hell she refused to let herself refuse to do anything. So what? So what he wasn't there last night? So what he went out and got himself drunk? So what? It's not like he's part of your life. You're just living with him, so what. It's not like you're dating him. It's not like you'd want to date him. She was disgusted with herself and grabbed her discman from the side table and slipped the ear pieces into her ears and turned it on. If she couldn't ignore the little voice in her head, then she'd drown it out with music. Walking to the door, she locked it and shook her head at the thought of Isis waking up and finding her gone. The little puppy was still lazy though had probably stayed up all night with her.

She would forgive her and knew that nothing would happen to her daughter if both her dog and Luna were there. Hours passed with every stroke of her brush and soon she saw the makings of a real piece of art coming forth from the canvas in front of her. It was going to be hard, but she was going to make the painting look just like the picture. Just like it. She purred to herself. ...nothing more than stupid paint on some stupid canvas...

Her eyes burned again. Vegeta really did hate her. But then why was he playing with her emotions like that? No worries. She'd leave the house and Vegeta's life forever when her wound was healed. After that, she'd be gone. She planned to leave for Christmas knowing that the painting would be done and ready for the holiday. She smirked.

He wouldn't think her art was stupid then. She would leave. Everyone and everything. Change her name, change her looks again. Do something to get away from the horror that followed her around. All ready her friends were too close, but they'd never leave if she told them she was going. They'd never do anything like that.

But what hurt her the most is knowing that she'd have to leave Rayne behind as well. If she wanted to finish what was going on, she couldn't have her daughter with her. But one thing that she would take was Isis. She would need a friend when the times got rough and Isis was the only thing close to her that would love her no matter what she was going to do besides her daughter.

Vegeta would take good care of Rayne while she was gone, Bulma knew that. She knew that he loved her like she was his own, but he wouldn't be able to forgive her. But she needed to do it. She needed to end the chapter of her life that was forcing itself to stay open as it followed her from country to country.

But where was she going to go?

Australia.