A/N:

I know. I'm late. I had to get home last minute to do some stuff (nothing major, so no worries) and traveling from college to home is no easy task (ugh.). It also meant I had to get my work down five days earlier than originally planned, which unfortunately made me put fanfic on the back burner... BUT NOT FOR LONG. Extremely sorry for the wait, but I will post again at my regular late Wednesday nights. So don't despair! I know you guys missed me so much (sarcasm.).

And thanksthanksthanksthanks to koii, XzCrimsonTearzzX, dyingdreamsv2 (and thanks sooo much for your sweet PM! I AM alive, and I would have PM'd you back, but you disabled it...Oh, and Raditz did use his scouter to communicate with Vegeta when he first came to Earth!) , Alex274, Linneh, Greenis my fav color, Black Diamond07, BloodyXan-Xan, ScoobyDoobyDee, miikodesu, YukiraKing, menga88 (oh...well thank you :D), Naughty Cat (huh, i wondered if you saw this chapter coming...), MK08, apple pie 33 (yay! I glad I can make reviewing fun! reviewing makes writing [more] fun!), Many Voices In My Head, Death101-Fox Version (hehe. Gohan's my absolute favorite up until he goes all Superman), bvprincess23 (Oh Yamcha...he'll score a point one day...maybe), Katie Loom, jdboss1 (I don't like Saiyaman, I'm keeping it at that), Eure, kickstartmyhart, The Azu Soul Lilly, Jaylee-Rebel, Tessa, Gindorg091, DBZ-VegetaLove, Lady laide (oh man, Gohan is a main character...I guess I'm a little bias...), Trixie-chan (for both of your reviews), merlincrazy, bimbosarahsurfchick, Onba, Winrycherry101, Greendragonsheart (no sweat, I'm late updating!), svabutterfly (course I remember! and take your time :D), Haw Resf (hi! And I understand you just fine! I'm glad you're liking the characters so far!), Cara2012, Ja ne, Kat, Sayian Queen (You'll just have to see!), Girness, joys, Azul serenity (reviewing always helps :D), DBZer16, Cloud Envy Shikamaru, and Beauty Eclipsed.

Did I mention I'm sorry for posting this late? Oh I did? Let's do the disclaimer then:

Disclaimer: It'd be totally awesome, but nope. Don't own DB/DBZ/DBGT or anything else remotely canon.

Oh! And I semi-apologize for the boringness that is this chapter. It's only a semi apology, because it needed to be written for foundational purposes. More interesting things (fight scenes! hooray!) will be on the way!

Crossing Boundaries

There was a large island up ahead, almost like a plateau or a tower composed of only rock and grass. It pierced the Namekian landscape, standing out, a giant on the plain. Goku raised an eyebrow but continued flying closer. "Is that where Guru is?"

Dende nodded and led them further, landing gently on the rocky surface. "Nail!" The small Namekian was suddenly running forward to a taller alien, so similar to Piccolo, Goku had to do a double take.

"Dende, you brought the Earthlings back with you." Nail walked forward giving Krillin and Yamcha reassuring looks. His attention then strayed to Goku and Gohan. "And who are they?"

"Hi! I'm Son Goku. This is my son, Gohan."

Nail made a slight frown. "You're Saiyans..."

"Yeah, but we're not connected to that Frieza guy."

"Goku is one of us. We thought Guru could help him unlock his hidden potential as well as Gohan's." Krillin gestured Gohan inside. "Would that be okay with Guru?"

Nail made no response, but just silently led them towards what had to be the biggest Namekian Goku would ever see. He stood there, shell shocked at the giant green alien, seemingly rotting on the throne. Guru was old, probably ancient. Older than Kami, which was incredibly hard for Goku to imagine.

"Nail, who did you bring here?" His voice reverberated across the high ceiling Namekian house. "Two I recognize, but the others...they're Saiyans."

"Only half!" Gohan raised his hand, "Are you Mr. Guru, sir?"

"Lord Guru," Nail corrected firmly. "He's our father."

Nail went on to explain something about a drought so disastrous that practically all the Namekians died and how Guru was the one responsible for the Namekian dragon balls and about how Piccolo's grandfather or father or great grandfather (Goku couldn't really remember) had left Namek to escape the drought and apparently that was the reason why Earth had dragon balls to begin with. If he had to be honest, Goku was zoning out, trying to track the other Saiyans' kis. He knew Yamcha was extremely worried about Bulma, and rightfully so. She apparently just sold herself to some (slightly) homicidal alien who seemed to also be her ex-boyfriend.

Though Goku couldn't wrap his head around that. Bulma was sending two very different signals. She didn't seem afraid of Vegeta, that was extremely obvious. But why had she never mentioned him before? He remembered wishing her back with the dragon balls, but Bulma hadn't mentioned where she was or anything about Vegeta or anyone else. If she really liked him, why didn't she wish for him to come with her? Why didn't she tell us? The Saiyan took another glance at Yamcha, watching as Guru finally stopped talking and raised his hand over Gohan. Why is she dating Yamcha?

But no one's kis were rising. Bulma's was hard to tell at times because it was so low, but there was no flicker, no nothing.

"Dad?"

Unless it had something to do with that Frieza guy. She had seemed so concerned about it, not even wanting him to help Vegeta when she clearly didn't want them to fight either. Frieza could be the reason for why she made no mention of her stay with the Saiyans. Even a young Goku, especially a young Goku, would have found a way to try to help. And if Frieza was that powerful, it would certainly mean death.

"Er...Goku?"

Goku blinked at his best friend's voice, scratching his head before idly smiling. "Oh, sorry guys. Must have zoned out there for a minute. What's up?"

Nail narrowed his eyes at him, but Goku didn't flinch, "Lord Guru was just offering to unlock your power."

"Unlock? Does that mean no training? I think I'll pass for now."

His friends noticeably recoiled. Krillin stuttered, "Go-Goku, are you sure? We could take those Saiyan guys, especially with your power up."

What would be the fun in that? He was never one for the easy way out. Some would call it stupid, but Goku lived for adventure and challenge. "It's not the Saiyans I'm worried about."

Guru moved, inching up on his throne to stand up straight. It was then Goku noticed the one star dragon ball, much bigger than the one he was familiar with on Earth, right above his head. "He's right." Guru's deep but semi-sleep inducing voice drew Goku back. "There are beings with extremely high power levels headed towards this planet as we speak."

The Saiyan's eyes expanded, "Frieza..."

Bulma lay rigid against the stone wall, fingers digging in and collecting dirt between her skin. She had not just heard that. There was no way that Nappa, as idiotic and creepy as he is, could ever be that much of a traitor. To spy on his own prince? To risk everything they had-

She flinched back, her breath seeming to escape fully from her lips. What loyalty did Nappa have to Vegeta? He never really treated the bald, older Saiyan with any ounce of respect. Vegeta could be...hard to live with, she knew that, but to actually bring Frieza here? She outwardly shivered at the overlord's name. She never wanted to see him again. That was a part of her past that was better left forgotten.

Her blue eyes glanced away from the opening of the cave back towards Vegeta lying on the floor, a black tube shaped sleeping bag covering only half of his torso. She thought she had remembered him being calm when he slept, the lines of worry vanishing under the fresh youth of his skin. He was free then, in his dreams, but Bulma had the sense that now, even in his sleep, he was trapped. His angled, sharp eyes were harshly drawn towards his nose. He looked stressed. No, not stressed. Stressed was her yelling at her secretary for filing documents wrong or accidentally ordering too many circuits. Vegeta was not just stressed. He looked worried and concerned and a bunch of other emotions Bulma would never know how to experience. Her radar sat a yard away from him, and she half wondered if she would continue to pretend it was broken.

Frieza or him?

She didn't want him to wish for immortality. He'd regret it.

You could always wish him to be mortal again later.

But that was too risky. Too hopeful in the fact that there would be a later. Frieza...

She needed to tell him. That was too dangerous a secret to keep to herself. But she also needed to get Vegeta what he wanted, just if it meant Frieza wouldn't get it.

"Just one." Bulma whispered lightly to herself. "We want no one making a wish. Just one to play keep away." She moved to grab the radar, unknowingly placing her body over his face. He moved beneath her, very slowly, as if wondering what had suddenly blocked out the dull light. Bulma hesitated over him. She held the silver metal device in one hand and with the other, she reached down towards his lightly tanned skin. The weird need to touch him...to feel his hot skin on hers, was so overwhelming that it only seemed natural. Moth to flame. Fatal attraction. Call it whatever, but she found herself complying to her emotional rather than rational side-which kept whispering he will kill you.

One finger first, then the other. His cheek was so smooth that it actually surprised her, feeding her need to touch him further. There was left over dirt, she noticed, staining his face and she quickly wiped it away. His features seemed to soften at her touch, and she half grinned in satisfaction that, maybe, she still did have some power over him. He'd never admit that though.

"What are you doing?"

Bulma fell on her hands, dropping the radar at the sudden deep voice from the Saiyan Prince underneath her. "...huh?"

His eyes flitted open, and Vegeta sat up. To her extreme relief, he didn't look infuriated or incredibly pissed or even somewhat annoyed. He looked...curious, which was practically all the more disturbing. Vegeta raised an eyebrow, "You were touching me."

"That a crime?" She fumbled back for the radar, her actions not matching with the smooth nature of her tone.

Vegeta was taken aback by her lackadaisical confession. "Touch me again, Woman..."

"And what?" I was just trying to wake you."

He smirked, "Then why are you surprised by your success?" Vegeta crossed his legs, compact body still on the ground. "This better be good, Woman."

"What?"

"Why you woke me." His black eyes grew, "I'm assuming it was for a reason. Or are you that much of a fool to just..." Vegeta trailed off and suddenly grabbed her, bringing her closer to his body, his nose brushing against her cheek. His lips rose quickly to her ear, and Bulma had the sudden question in her mind as to why she had waited so long to touch him. But whatever romantic speech she was waiting for quickly vanished when Vegeta's voice came out slow and coarse. "Where's Nappa?"

"Vegeta..." She backed away. "We need to talk."

"I don't have time to play your stupid games. Where's Nappa?"

"That's what we need to talk about."

He gruffly stood to the ground, eyeing Bulma and then turning to a sleeping Raditz. "Fine." With one full motion, Bulma was lifted off the ground, half between Vegeta's elbow and mid section. His arm was wrapped firmly around her waist, digging harshly into her abdomen. But, as always, she didn't have time to retaliate. Vegeta was already laboring outside with her in tow. He stopped briefly when he spotted Nappa hunched in a corner, quickly hitting buttons on his scouter. Vegeta looked at the other Saiyan warily. "Any news?"

"Brat's power level increased. Don't know how. Maybe we should check it out eventually."

Vegeta didn't answer. "You can sleep now Nappa. The Woman and I will be back soon."

The bald Saiyan rolled his eyes. "I can't believe you're doing this again, Vegeta. You don't remember what she did to you? How messed up you—"

"You really need to learn when to hold your tongue." His voice edged on threatening, and it was just enough to send the taller, older Saiyan back into the cave, mouth held shut. "He has no right to even begin to dictate what the fuck I want to do."

Bulma squeaked, his grip tightening in his anger. "...can you put me down?"

"And neither do you!" He blasted off suddenly, and Bulma felt her stomach swerve. She was grateful that she hadn't eaten for a while, otherwise it might have been strewn across the air. But the flight didn't last long. Vegeta halted suddenly and descended, dropping her on the ground and then crossing his arms. "Now what' s so fucking important?"

"...you were messed up?" That wasn't what she had meant to say. She was supposed to be outing one of his comrades, but instead, she found her seemingly perpetual girlish mind concentrating on what Nappa had just said. "When I was wished back...were you okay?"

He didn't answer for a while but just stared at her, crossing and unfolding his arms as if that movement would somehow be enough to communicate what he meant. But Bulma didn't' let up. She approached him further, hands at her side but blue eyes directed solely on his face. "I didn't mean to leave you, you know. I didn't want to leave you, Vegeta. I wanted to bring you to Earth with me. I wanted you with me."

There was still no answer from the Saiyan, and Vegeta was making it excruciatingly hard to read his facial expression as well. He was completely stoic, eyebrows or mouth or even nose never moving. She could only see his chest rise and fall through the padded armor. "What did you want to talk about?" His voice was even but hard, and Bulma inched back in defeat. This isn't the time for this.

"Nappa was talking to Zarbon about what we're really doing here."

Vegeta huffed, "That's ridiculous. He wouldn't betray me like that."

Bulma placed her hands on her hips, "And why wouldn't he?"

"He's a Saiyan first and foremost. Nappa has seen the Saiyan Empire for what it was for much longer than I did. Though his subservience to Frieza is absolutely revolting, he would be a fool to answer to the lizard when he could serve a Saiyan king again."

She blinked at his comprehensive answer, internally reminding herself that of course Vegeta wouldn't have been that stupid to bring Nappa unless he was certain Nappa would be loyal to him over Frieza. What Vegeta didn't seem to realize was that Nappa didn't seem to like him at all, which didn't make for a solid allegiance. "Vegeta...please listen to me. I heard him. He was talking to Zarbon and telling him about the dragon balls. He was ratting you out!"

"Shut up, Woman. I will not have your ridiculous notions ruin my plans."

"They're not ridiculous!"

The air around Vegeta seemed to pick up its own current. "I will not fall victim to your lies."

"I'm telling you the truth!" Her tone swayed from desperation to anger. "Why would I lie?"

"Why would you leave me!" The rush of air increased tenfold, swallowing Vegeta in its own funnel, like a flame tipped tornado. Bulma fell back, not out of fear, but from the sheer energy Vegeta's body seemed to be producing. The Saiyan Prince just breathed, chest rising too high as if to chain in this sudden rush. His fists clenched together as his mouth made an appropriate snarl. "I trusted you and you left me. I believed what you said and you just fucking left. You were going to wait and you fucking didn't." Vegeta powered down, snapping in front of Bulma, teeth bared. "There is not one goddamn reason I should ever listen to what your sniveling mouth ever says again. You are here to find the dragon balls. Not be a spy. You already failed miserably at that."

"I didn't though, did I?" She was never one to back down from a verbal fight, regardless if it were with a super powered alien prince or not. "I got close to Zarbon like you asked. I found out things about Frieza like you asked. I did everything for you, Vegeta, out of the naïve hope that you would have helped me. Maybe if it didn't take you so long to find the actual coordinates, I wouldn't have left you on Karbos!" Her pale face felt pink, and she knew she was probably splotchy from her yelling. She scoffed seeing Vegeta glance from her face to her rising chest, but in an instant, his black gaze was back up, waiting for her to continue.

When she didn't, the Saiyan Prince merely growled. "I should have killed you the moment I saw you in my room."

"Maybe." Bulma poked him squarely in the chest. "But you didn't. Maybe it was for a reason. Maybe it was because I'm the one person in this universe that actually wants to help you, Vegeta." He recoiled from her touch, but Bulma pressed on, destroying the distance between them and forcing him to look into her blue eyes. There was that flipping, rolling stomach feeling again. The kind that spun through her spine and ended up low in her gut, a hard mixture of acid and something she didn't quite recognize. "Because I do, you know. I want to help you."

His scowl fell slightly, and she could see his shoulders start to give way, relaxing under the comforting promise of her words. She didn't want him to hate her, so seeing him finally relax in her presence made her smile. Vegeta turned around, facing the camp. "Nappa was using the scouter. I specifically told him not to wear it unless he was tracking power levels."

"Goku said you can sense ki now."

Vegeta turned at her words, "Yes."

"Did Gohan teach you?"

"The brat had several uses."

Bulma couldn't help her boldness. "Was one of them to get me?"

The pained expression on his face was easy to read, and his clear frustration with himself made Bulma giggle a little. "You know, you don't have to hate me Vegeta. I know that you feel you should, but you don't."

"What you did was unforgivable."

Her heart fell at how easily he said those words. "I'm not asking for your forgiveness. I'm just asking..." What am I asking for? She fell to the cliché. "If we could be friends again."

Vegeta narrowed his eyes, "We were never friends."

"How exactly powerful is this Frieza guy?" Krillin shuffled on the floor, face looking skeptically at the giant fish Goku had caught, filleted, and cooked (ki blast style) a few moments ago. "You seemed pretty freaked out about him, Goku."

Goku didn't answer directly but looked instead to his son, who seemed incredibly upset over the name. They had left Guru's version of the Lookout a while ago, all of them left spinning over the idea of some even more bloodthirsty alien coming their way.

"He's gotta be more powerful than the Saiyans." Yamcha took a huge bite of the fish, unafraid of Goku's less than ideal cooking. "Dende said they looked like Frieza henchmen."

Krillin gulped, "That's not good."

"He's terrible." Gohan said softly, managing to quickly garner all of their attention. "He treats everyone like they're his pets or slaves. He blew up our planet."

Goku narrowed his eyebrows, "Huh? What are you talking about, Gohan? The Earth's fine."

"Not Earth, Dad. Planet Vegeta."

Yamcha growled, "The asshole has a planet named after him?"

"Had," Gohan corrected. "Uncle Raditz said that Frieza was afraid of some old legend...something about Super fighters."

Goku raised an eyebrow, slightly intrigued by that thought. "So what did he do?"

"He just...killed them all." Gohan let his tail swish behind him, self consciously glancing at the floor at all of the sudden attention. "That's why Uncle Vegeta is so mad all the time! I'm sure if the bad monster was just gone, he'd be real friendly!"

Yamcha scoffed, "So you actually want us to help them Gohan?" The bandit hated the notion.

"We may not have a choice. " Goku crossed his arms, head raised to the sky. "If Frieza is coming here, like Guru said, he's probably not just coming for Vegeta, Nappa, and my brother." The last word felt weird to him, but Goku decided it was the right choice. Raditz was his brother, no matter what circumstances led them to each other.

"You think he wants the dragon balls too?" Krillin asked, "And what about that whole close squad-thingy that Guru mentioned? How many did he say were coming?"

"Five." Gohan held up his hand, "And he said one was really, really, really-"

"...We get it Gohan. They're strong. Maybe we should just high tail it out of here while we're still alive." Krillin sighed and sat on the ground, orange gi getting covered in brown dust.

"We can't. We promised Guru we'd wish back Piccolo." Goku said, ignoring the pained looks of his friends. "We may need him, guys. He was pretty loyal to us on Earth. He'll help us out here."

"Fine, Goku. If you think Piccolo will help us then okay. He's the least of our problems at the moment, and at least will get the dragon balls back on Earth. What do you say Yamcha?" Krillin popped back up, nudging the seemingly lifeless Yamcha in the shoulder, "Err...Yamcha?"

The full Saiyan's dark eyes turned back down, unsure whether to judge Yamcha with pity or annoyance. It wasn't like him at all to get annoyed with his friends-with anyone really, but Bulma, as awful as it was to think, was not what they needed to worry about now. And Goku was pretty sure that Yamcha wasn't really even worried about her safety, just their relationship. He hid his inner frustration with a light hearted tone, "Hey Yamcha, still got the one star dragon ball?"

Yamcha finally nodded and held up a capsule, "Yeah I got it."

"Alright then! Let's do what we do best guys!"

Gohan blinked, "What's that Dad?"

"Hunt dragon balls."

He could feel himself cracking already, the blue haired demon woman already seeping herself deep under his skin, making him sweat and poisoning his mind with ideas of pure foolishness. Vegeta didn't want to believe her. He didn't want to think of the possibility that a member of his tiny squadron was actually betraying him, not because he didn't think the idea to be impossible but because it completely fucked over his plans. He didn't want anything to ruin this. This would be his moment.

She was grabbing his hand now (damn Woman...), leading him back to the cave. There was this nauseating sensation riding through his body, enhancing every time the Woman would turn her head and stare at him, obnoxious blue eyes so wide. "What?" His voice was shrill, just as he had attended.

"Just making sure you're okay back there." Bulma glanced at their connection and quickly dropped his hand, "Sorry...you probably don't want me to touch you right now."

He ignored the part of him that thought the complete opposite. "We finally agree on something."

"Ha, ha," Bulma rolled dryly. "But we should really be getting back. Stop Nappa from causing more damage, you know?" Her hair caught the outer edge of a gust of wind, causing Vegeta's eyes to follow the blue strands, almost hypnotically. He silently cursed when he realized where his attention strayed. Bulma seemed to realize it too, "Um, Vegeta?"

He didn't even bother to voice his frustration, opting instead for a low grunt and glare.

"I just want to know what you plan to do, Vegeta."

"With Nappa?" Or you?

"Yeah. Are you going to...kill him?"

Vegeta raised an eyebrow and coolly walked over. He crossed his arms, half smirking at the fact that Bulma didn't inch away as he approached. "I think I'll let your friends take care of that one. I have more important things to worry about."

The color drained from her already pale complexion, "What?"

"He should keep them busy enough as we search for the dragon balls." Vegeta continued to close the gap, "I'm assuming they haven't abandoned you here. Or were they just as anxious to get rid of you as I am?"

"Look, Prince Vegeta. You are not going to send Nappa out on some hunt for blood. I willingly gave myself up to save them."

Vegeta sniffed and stepped closer, "Rather willingly." Their eyes caught for a moment, and Vegeta held her gaze, held those blue eyes directly in his head until Bulma dropped her chin. What the fuck am I doing? There was something drawing about her, something unmistakably alluring that it messed with all rational thought. Whatever happened to his resolve to kill her? His resolve to despise her presence completely?

He did still hate her, maybe not as much as Frieza, but it was weird how easily that line between hate and passion was blurred. He forgot how she had felt, her soft lips, her sweet skin. And the way her head angled was perfect for remembering...

"Don't let him kill anyone..."

Her words stopped his motion forward, but he didn't inch back. "You have so little faith in your friends." Vegeta kept his voice low, enjoying the soft shivers she seemed to make, "But maybe you should worry...those humans did seem incredibly weak."

Bulma's head snapped back up. "Don't talk about Yamcha like that!"

"Yamcha?" Vegeta scoffed, "He's the one I smell on you, isn't he?" It made him cringe. He felt utterly repulsed at the idea of the human's hands touching what was rightfully his.

He snarled. He did not just think that.

"He's my boyfriend, you asshole. Don't talk about it like it's something dirty."

"It's disgusting." His rebuttal was too fast.

That drew Bulma's attention, "And who are to voice your opinion? Huh? Just let the two weak humans be together so you can live forever and die alone! Have you even thought about your future, Vegeta? Like, what you're going to do when Frieza's gone?"

"When Frieza's gone?" Vegeta felt some load suddenly fall of his chest. He was so close to her now that their chests were touching, their heavy intakes of breath feeding off of one anothers. He could feel the pressure, this sticky hot air seeming to form in the minute space between their bodies. Both of them didn't move.

Bulma nodded, "Yeah. When. Not if. I know you'll kill him. You have too much perseverance and anger in you to no-"

It was too quick for him to process, his mind muddled with her high voice, her girlish scent, her soft flesh. It was too strong. Too fast. Too hard not to do it that Vegeta just decided to fuck it all and just kiss her. Her lips were exactly what he had remembered. They were smooth, silky like her arms, her neck. She radiated this unknown heat, even though Vegeta was pretty sure he had much more energy inside of him than the fragile human she was.

His strong arms wrapped around her, pushing her closer to him even though Bulma was pressing on him enough. Her hands slid across his armor, reaching at the nape of his neck that sent hot waves down his spine towards his inner torso. They both fought frantically. Left over passion and hatred and energy just pouring into something that, when Vegeta finally could think coherently again, became immediately regrettable. He pushed her away gently, and her panting breaths became incredibly obvious. Vegeta ignored her rising upper body, the redness on her neck where he had touched perhaps a little too harshly, choosing instead for remembering that feeling of betrayal. She had left him broken. She would not earn his trust again. "Tell your pathetic boyfriend about that."

A/N:

I'll get to writing more...thanks for reading guys :D and review if you want!