Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ or the characters

She had done it. After a week of all-nighters, Bulma had finally created an antidote for the heart virus. She was completely drained, but she didn't care. Everything was going to be okay. Even if Vegeta did get infected, she had a way to help him recover almost instantly. She was so happy in her discovery that she didn't even hear Zarbon enter the med bay. When he spoke up, she managed to subtly put everything away.

"Bulma," Zarbon said in a business-like manner. "The Saiyans have returned."

Inside Bulma was screaming to be reunited with Vegeta, but she played innocent and tilted her head in confusion. "So much ahead of schedule?" she pondered out loud.

"Yeah, well, I guess the population on planet Gnathos wasn't a match for them. I hope you're ready for your mission."

"Oh, don't worry, Zarbon," Bulma said holding up the wretched vial, "I've got it covered."

Zarbon smirked at her. "Good." Within minutes, he was next to her, whispering seductively in her ear. "When the monkey collapses and gets brought in here, come to my room for a…special…celebration." He whispered in her ear between placing kisses on her jaw. She shivered in discomfort, but Zarbon took it as her shivering in pleasure and kissed down her neck even further to her collarbone. Bulma's hand stopped him from moving down to her chest.

"This is hardly appropriate behavior for two un-wed beings," Bulma stated innocently. "Please don't make another advance until after the ceremony."

Zarbon nodded and left Bulma who ran to her room for a shower. Her skin felt like it was painfully melting off her skin. She was disgusted with what had just happened. Okay, secret or not, next time that pig touches me, I'm blasting his brains out, she thought to herself as she scrubbed each place she remembered feeling his lips raw.

After her shower, she got dressed and got a pad of paper and wrote many messages to the other Saiyans on it. She needed to tell them what was going on, but her father had her bugged when in their presence. This was the only way to communicate the issue.

Nappa and Raditz saw Bulma and were about to greet her when they were stopped by her message.

Address me as Princess Bulma. I don't have time to explain.

"Hello, Princess Bulma," Nappa greeted uneasily. "To what do we own the pleasure?"

"Hello, Nappa. Hello, Raditz," Bulma said softly. "I was wondering where Vegeta was."

Say "training" if he's in his room. Say "his room" if he's training.

"He's training," Raditz lied. He looked at Bulma strangely and noted the terror in her eyes. Something was worrying him.

Bulma nodded solemnly. "Oh, well then I will talk to him later then. Thank you." Nappa and Raditz watched as their fellow Saiyan took off for Vegeta's room. They could only hope that the two could figure out whatever was going on together.

Bulma hurried off to Vegeta's room rummaging through her papers. She halted outside of Vegeta's room, but didn't enter. He must have sensed her and opened the door wearing a smirk. He was about to say something, but she stopped him by holding out her had as a signal to wait. She held out another notepad that she had been scribbling during her run.

Don't talk. I'm bugged.

Vegeta nodded and stepped out of the way to let her in. She put a notepad down for him on the table and a pen.

We have a problem, she wrote.

Aside from the obvious…what?

Bulma silently sighed and frowned, turning her notepad to face him. Zarbon accused me of spending too much time with you like we feared. I told him I was spying on you. He told my…I mean Frieza and he has given me an assignment to kill you with a heart virus that only affects Saiyans.

Vegeta grimaced, but he wrote, If Frieza gave you the order, then you have to follow through.

I knew you would say that, Bulma wrote, shaking her head, which is why I spent the last week creating a cure for it. I succeeded. Even if I infect you with the virus, I will be able to cure you, hands down.

Have I told you that you're a genius? Vegeta asked with an arrogant smirk.

Bulma smiled at his compliment. Not recently, but it's nice to hear.

I missed you, Bulma.

Before Bulma could write anything else to express her shock, she was in Vegeta's arms. He, the mighty Prince of Saiyans, was cuddling with her on the couch. It took her by surprise to feel his body curled around hers and feeling his heart racing as if he were afraid of something. Something had to have happened while he was away, because he never acted this was with her. Vegeta was holding onto her desperately as if he was afraid to let her go. Bulma decided to go with it, though, and allowed herself to finally get some sleep after all of those all-nighters.

Vegeta stared into the darkness of his room as Bulma drifted off to sleep. He hadn't been able to relax since he had gotten back. Visions of what had taken place on Gnathos had not yet left him. He was still trying to convince himself that Bulma was still here, alive and well, in his arms and not dead on that planet. He hadn't harmed her and he never would; no matter what, he knew her life meant more to him than any other.

Sleep well, my princess, he thought silently as he kissed her temple. We have a long and dangerous road ahead of us. No matter what, I promise to protect you.

A/N: This chapter was edited 12/10/2012