'Face to Face'

Chapter Two: Attention

'I let the beast in too soon,

I don't know how to live

without my hands on his throat,

I fight him always and still.'

Fiona Apple: Fast as You Can

Vegeta floated slowly down to the ground, his chest heaving with tired breaths, and when he reached the floor he trudged slowly towards the house, his mind locked on feeding his growling stomach. He glanced casually at the Gravity Chamber as he passed, and froze when he saw a flash of light from the inside. What the hell is that? If that stupid human is in there again I'll make him wish he'd never been born. He made his way over to the machine and pulled the door open in a flash, staring around curiously when no-one appeared to be in there. A sudden movement from behind the control panel caught his attention though, and he strode over, stopping in surprise when he saw the long, creamy legs poking out from underneath it. A moment later a small hand slunk out and searched around for something, before the fingers curled around a laser screw. He watched, amused, as the hand slunk back in and the two alluring, slender legs wriggled slightly, and his eyes fell to them, eyeing them slowly and –not for the first time- envisioning them wrapped around his waist, his fingers digging into the thighs…

"Shit." A soft curse distracted him and he tore his eyes from her legs just as Bulma's head appeared under the panel. She started when she saw his white boots and bumped her head on the panel, causing another curse to slip from her lips in pain.

Vegeta sneered, "You should be more aware of your surroundings woman."

She narrowed her eyes but willed her mouth shut; laying her head down and slinking her body slowly out from under the panel. Vegeta's eyes trailed up her slim curves appreciatively, and he had to shake himself to get the various enticing fantasies out of his head.

"For your information, I'm perfectly aware of my surroundings. I just didn't realise you were stalking me is all." She retorted primly, as soon as she was sat up and collecting her scattered tools from around her.

Vegeta scowled, "Stalking you? Why would I waste my time on a pathetic earthling? I came in here to find out what idiot was in my Gravity Chamber."

Bulma snorted, "Your Gravity Chamber?! I hate to break it to you Monkey-Boy but since this is my land and my home, this is my Chamber. And I happened to be fixing it up for you, although Kami knows why, you ungrateful git." She stood up and put her hands on her hips. So much for making it up to him. Jeez I just can't stop arguing with him. He always gets under my skin.

Vegeta stared at her, confused, It doesn't need fixing. "What are you up to woman?"

"Firstly, my name is Bulma. And secondly, I'm not up to anything! I was just updating the Chamber! Y'know, doing something nice for you!" she shot back, but her face flushed and Vegeta suspected there was something she wasn't telling him.

"Why? What do you want?" he snapped, folding his arms over his chest and staring at her suspiciously, his eyes scanning her face.

Bulma flushed further under his intense gaze and his eyes narrowed further. Why is she blushing? What is she hiding?

"Woman, I'm tiring of your silence. What do you want?"

Bulma huffed, "Oh for Kami's sake! I don't want anything! I was just doing it to apologize!" She threw her hands up in the air in exasperation. He can so dense sometimes!

Vegeta's face crumpled into confusion and his eyes widened, startled. "Apologize?"

Bulma nodded and fixed her tools into their box, avoiding his eyes as she explained, "I felt bad about earlier so I wanted to fix this all up for you."

Vegeta was stumped. She felt bad? For arguing with me? Kami, this woman really is mad. A complete mystery. He scowled to himself, why should I care if she feels bad? She should. She should be grovelling at my feet! Humans and their damn emotions!

Bulma looked up at him and he sneered at her, "I hope you're not expecting a thank you. Your stupid emotions rule you woman, and that's what makes you so weak."

Bulma narrowed her eyes and barged past him, pausing at the doorway to look back at him, "There's a dinner tonight. A proper dinner." She drew in a long breath and forced herself to sound semi-polite, "It'd be nice if you could come. It's in the Dining Hall at 9 o'clock." Watching his smirk disappear into surprise caused Bulma to giggle and she shot him a teasing wink, chuckling as she heard him growl angrily behind her as she made her way to the house to get ready for dinner.

Giggling all the way back to the house, Bulma reached the living room and collapsed onto the couch and grinned.

"Bulma, dear, where have you been? Oh," her mother's face appeared looming over her, her famously dippy smile across her face, "what's gotten you so happy?"

Bulma chuckled dryly, "Vegeta."

Mrs Briefs laughed gaily and undid her gardening apron from her waist, "Oh he can be so funny sometimes! A little dry perhaps! But he's such a fascinating man…so dedicated and passionate!"

Bulma snorted in a very un-ladylike manner, "Passionate? Dedicated? Mother, he's obsessive and insane!"

"Oh no darling, he's not! A little dramatic perhaps but just dedicated!" Mrs Briefs sat down on the couch next to her, her smile still in place, "He'd make a wonderful husband- so committed and such a hard-working, mysterious man!"

Bulma stared at her mother, who continued to smile sweetly, and frowned. A wonderful husband? Vegeta? As if he'd ever marry! He thinks he's too good for everyone! Ah, but that's not true, a little voice added, you know he's lonely. And Mum's right, he is passionate…dedicated…he'd probably be the most loyal, intense lover. She blushed at the thought and turned to look at her mother thoughtfully. Despite being renowned for being a cheery air-head, Mrs Briefs was actually quite perceptive when it came to men and relationships.

"You know, he's not so arrogant either Bulma. He notices a lot, pays a lot of attention to things…I think he wants to fit in!"

Bulma started at the depth in her mother's voice, and felt another pang of guilt. He might be an ass, but he is lonely. He has no-one…

"Oh I'm glad he's coming for dinner tonight! We really should get him around more people, dear." Her mother's voice was back to its normal, airy level and Bulma smiled and nodded along. "And you need the break too, you and your father have been working non-stop…poor Yamcha's feeling neglected!" she giggled at her daughter.

"Mum, Yamcha and I aren't dating anymore." Bulma sighed; the thought of Yamcha seemed to drain all her energy. It was odd how thinking about Vegeta seemed to pump her up and thoughts of Yamcha slowed her down. Eugh, get a grip Bulma. You're just tired.

Mrs Briefs giggled again, "Well, I think we should have nice day getting ready and have a little treat. What do you say?"

Bulma glanced at her mother's smiling face and fingered an unruly curl. "Yeah, that sounds great."

Bulma beamed into the mirror. She looked bloody gorgeous! Her hair! It was silky smooth, shiny and hanging in the most beautiful shoulder-length cut. She turned to Zuuo – her stylist- and grabbed him by the collar and set a smacking kiss on his cheek. "You are a god!" she cried.

Zuuo grinned and flushed a little, "Well you are a goddess my darling. I've never seen a girl so beautiful- especially with your hair!" he ran a hand through it gently and smiled.

Bulma beamed again as he carefully slid the covers off her shoulders and helped her up, leading her to the counter and sliding an orange bottle into a red printed bag.

"This is a gift. To keep your hair beautiful, my darling." Zuuo handed her the bag and she kissed him again in sheer delight, before zipping her card through the machine and making sure to add at least 200zeni as a tip. This man was a genius! He swept her out of the salon, grinning like a loon at his favourite customer and helped her pack her various bags and boxes into her car and waved her off, watching happily as her hair flew behind her.

Bulma practically loped into the café to meet her mother and twirled on the spot delightedly whilst her mother squealed admiringly.

"Oh darling, it's gorgeous!"

Bulma beamed, "Isn't it just? Zuuo is marvellous!" she stroked her hair again and smiled flirtatiously as a young waiter came to take their order. He stuttered and blushed as Bulma flirted outrageously, winking and swishing her hair.

"Oh you look so lovely. That cut suits you so much!" Her mother said, still smiling cheerfully as Bulma sipped at her cappuccino. "Yamcha will fall head over heels for you again!"

"Mother!" Bulma sighed exasperatedly, frustrated at herself for getting down about Yamcha. She should be excited about tonight, it'd be a lovely meal and they would both look gorgeous and flirt all night and her parents would be there….and Vegeta. She shook herself, trying to rid all thought of the Saiyan Prince from her mind, but he stayed in the back of mind, looming over her. Yamcha's face seemed to fade away completely. "He won't notice." She said quietly, not sure herself if she was talking about Yamcha or Vegeta and sighing in annoyance.

"Oh maybe not…but we know who will!" Mrs Briefs giggled and thanked the waiter profusely as he delivered their salads.

Bulma smiled, "Daddy will, I know."

Mrs Briefs giggled again, "Oh of course Daddy will! But I was talking about Vegeta!"

Bulma dropped her fork and hardly noticed as it clattered loudly against her plate. Her mother's eyebrows rose in surprised concern. "Vegeta?" her disbelieving voice seemed to echo around the whole café, and though she ignored the curious stares of the other customers, she lowered her voice slightly, "Mother, Vegeta wouldn't notice a thing about me, nor would he care!"

"Oh darling, of course he will! He notices all these things! He pays attention! I'm sure he'll think your hair looks lovely too!"

Bulma flushed and hissed, "Mother!" reproachfully, but couldn't figure out why she felt so embarrassed. It was only Vegeta. Sure, she was trying to befriend him and couldn't help but find him rather startlingly attractive and fascinating, but that was all. Why should the thought of him paying attention to her cause her to feel so flustered?!

"Oh I bet he'll look handsome in a tux." Her mother suddenly sighed dreamily and Bulma, though mortified, flushed deeper and couldn't help but agree.

Bulma stared at herself in the mirror long and hard and after a few minutes of contemplative silence she decided that the black dress was definitely the right one. She ran her hands over the dress, smoothing it out and turning this way and that to admire how it fit her so snugly and so…sensually. It had a bustier-like top half, strapless to show off her full breasts, shimmering shoulders and slim arms. And the bottom half clung to her curves perfectly, hugging her tiny waist and ending just below her knees to reveal toned, creamy calves. She slipped her feet into the strappy black stilettos and twirled around, grinning at her reflection. She had to admit, she looked good. She reached for her jewellery box and slipped on a thick diamond bracelet and clipped a diamond broach into her hair, pinning it loosely so it piled lightly on her head and a few strands fell loosely to frame her face and neck alluringly. She glanced in the mirror one last time, sprizting a small amount of her favourite perfume onto her neck and wrists before stepping out into the hall and heading for the dining hall. She reached the doors and paused by the side of them, already able to hear Yamcha talking to her parents. She couldn't hear Vegeta, but that certainly didn't mean he wasn't there. The flutters in her stomach seemed to jerk more violently as his voice suddenly sounded, "Where is that woman?"

She couldn't suppress a nervous grin. He was there! Kami, he's joined us! Wow! I wonder if he will notice my hair? And my dress? Her stomach jolted nervously again and she could feel tiny tremors of apprehension and some sort of coiled up excitement in her body at the thought of walking in and seeing Vegeta, dressed up and gorgeous and staring at her intently as he always did. She sucked in a deep breath, plastered a smile onto her face and walked proudly into the room.

Her eyes immediately sought out her mothers and she beamed as her mother gasped aloud, causing the three men in the room to turn and look.

"Oh darling you look beautiful!" Mrs Briefs clapped her hands together.

"Thanks Mum, so do you." Her mother did look lovely too, wearing a sea-green, long, cap-sleeved dress. She glanced around quickly, catching sight of Yamcha's gaping face. She smiled at him coyly and he grinned widely.

"You look…great Bulma." He said, tugging on his red tie and swallowing thickly. Wow, she looks amazing. He couldn't stop staring as she thanked him and turned to her father.

"Daddy, you look so dressed up!" Bulma turned away from Yamcha to grin at her father, who was dressed smartly in a grey suit. She couldn't help but giggle as he beamed.

"Thank you Bulma, and I must say your mother is right! You do look wonderful!"

"Oh she is so beautiful!" Mrs Briefs added, grinning widely, "Come on, let's sit shall we? Vegeta, you're over here," Bulma glanced over at Vegeta- who she had been determinedly not looking at- and started slightly as his eyes were locked fiercely on her. She gulped and felt a hot flush sweep up her face, but she kept her eyes on his and said, "Hello Vegeta…you look very, er," her mind seemed to melt as he shifted slightly as she scanned his appearance. He was wearing a smart black suit, with a white shirt and a black tie…it was simple, but very classic and he looked…gorgeous, striking, dribble-worthy hot, "nice." Thankfully her tongue settled on a subtler, simpler word.

He raised an eyebrow and looked her up and down, before smirking, and following her mother's gabbling instructions to sit at the end of the table. Hm, the woman does look gorgeous. That dress…he took in her appearance hungrily, his eyes intent on her full breasts and the way the dress curved over her slim waist and hips…

Bulma sucked in a breath and looked up, catching sight of Yamcha looking at her curiously, and hoping he hadn't been perceptive enough to notice what was making her blush, she winked and then smiled coyly again as he grinned widely, before making her way to her seat. She slid into it carefully, mentally wishing her mother hadn't placed her quite so close to Vegeta.

The dinner was lovely, the food perfect and everyone seemed to be in such a good mood. Even Vegeta had made polite enough conversation with her father. Bulma noted that her father was much more interested in anything Vegeta said then he was by Yamcha. She felt her curiosity about the Saiyan Prince grow as he answered her father's questions with his usual air of arrogance but also with careful consideration and eloquence. She had spent most of her night watching him carefully, marvelling at how well mannered he was – despite his ability to eat as much as Goku - and how much of a presence he was. Yamcha had been flirting with her all night, had been so charming and attentive and she felt flattered but also…almost indifferent about it. Vegeta had captured her full attention. Seeing him sat in a suit, eating quietly at her dining table with her family had churned her gut. She kept wondering if he had ever done anything like this before, and what exactly had made him come in the first place, and how he was feeling as her mother fussed over him, and her father questioned him and what was running through his mind.

She knew he had noticed too, because he kept sending her questioning and suspicious glances, and she was half-expecting him to bellow at her any moment. But he didn't. He kept his mouth shut, and much to Bulma's surprise and fascination, he held his temper mostly in check all night. She could tell he found her mother overbearing, and Yamcha's raucous baseball tales irritating but he kept silent, only his ever-present frown and the occasional twitch of his eyebrow betraying his annoyance. Furthermore, he seemed to actually respect her father. He listened to everyone intently- and Bulma had to admit her mother was right, he did pay attention- but especially to her father and, she was completely stunned, to her.

"Don't you think Bulma?" Yamcha's voice suddenly invaded her mind and startled her eyes away from Vegeta and round to him. She looked at him wide-eyed and felt her cheeks pink as the entire table gazed at her.

"Hmm?" she squeaked, chewing on her bottom lip as Yamcha frowned back at her suspiciously.

"You have been listening haven't you?" he asked, crossing his arms across his chest.

Before she could answer Vegeta let out a derisive snort, "Obviously not."

Bulma swung her head around to glare at him but he ignored her stare to continue talking to Yamcha, "She's obviously found something else more interesting." He looked sideways then, locking his eyes on Bulma and smirked smugly. She flushed and squirmed in her chair. Yamcha looked more confused than ever, and she angrily kicked out under the table, feeling a vicious sort of pleasure as her foot connected with Vegeta's shin and he let out a little surprised grunt.

Sneaky woman, what does she think she's doing? Kicking me for pointing out the obvious? She hasn't been paying attention to the weakling all night. Instead, Vegeta knew she had been staring at him, and he was frustrated to figure out why. But in the meantime he didn't mind humiliating her or the idiot with the information.

"Sorry Yamcha, I'm just so full I've been feeling a little sleepy. I must have missed what you said!" Bulma lied, smiling sweetly and feeling guilty as Yamcha frowned back at her. He seemed to buy her story though as he stretched back and grinned.

"Yeah I'm stuffed too. That was a great meal Mrs B!" he winked at Mrs Briefs who giggled before he shot Bulma another cheeky grin. Bulma couldn't help but smile- it was that exact grin which had caught her eye in the first place with Yamcha, the mischievous glint in his eyes, the way his lips upturned so easily. Her eyes drifted to his lips and then she looked back up, starting slightly as Yamcha caught her eye and stared back, his eyes dilated with desire.

Vegeta grunted again, and frustrated with him for ratting her out before, she kicked him again and then started in her seat as his hand shot down and encircled her ankle tightly.

Vegeta glared at her. Don't push me woman. Her eyes darkened fiercely and she flushed again, and his eyes dropped to her chest as it heaved against her dress as if she was struggling to get her breath. She is gorgeous. His grip loosened around her ankle and he relished the feeling of her silky soft skin under his hand, millions of erotic fantasies flashing through his head, and her eyes widened slightly and she looked away. Vegeta watched her curiously as she made conversation with the weakling, and moved his hand lower slightly, smirking as she stumbled over her words. Hmm, this is an interesting development.

He rubbed his thumb over her ankle bone, causing a delicious shiver to run up Bulma's spine, before he suddenly dropped her foot to the ground. She jumped slightly as her heel clattered loudly, and then shot him a deadly glare. Bastard, what did he think was doing?

"Ooh, are you alright dear?" her mother asked, turning to Bulma.

Bulma nodded, "Fine, just banged my shoe on the floor accidentally."

Mrs Briefs nodded and smiled, "Well then, shall I call in for coffee and desert? You look like you could still eat some more Vegeta! Such a big appetite you've got!"

Vegeta merely raised an eyebrow and grunted in response and Bulma rolled her eyes. "Do you want desert or not Vegeta?"

He looked at her dispassionately and shrugged, "Sure. Why not."

Mrs Briefs clapped her hands together again, "Wonderful! I'll send through for the trolley now!" She motioned for one of the waiters to come over and asked him to bring the desert trolley up. He nodded and left the room swiftly.

"Well, I don't think I'll manage desert!" Yamcha said, stretching languidly. Bulma smiled at him.

"Hm, yes, your appetite really is fascinating Vegeta." Dr Briefs said thoughtfully, pulling a silver cigarette case from his suit and tucking a slim stick into his mouth. He held it there for a moment before lighting up. "I wonder just how different your genetics are to human cells."

Vegeta raised his eyebrows, "The Saiyan race is far more advanced than humans. We are stronger, faster, more agile and much better physical specimens."

Dr Briefs nodded along, but Bulma snorted, "Shame about your low intelligence levels then isn't it?"

Vegeta glared at her, "Low? Woman, my race had invented things your mind could never even fathom!"

"Yeah right Vegeta! I'd like to see you invent half the things Dad and I do!" Bulma shot back, itching to lean across the table and throttle the smug bastard.

Vegeta opened his mouth to argue but Mrs Briefs trilled out, "Desert!" and he looked over to where the waiter was nervously loitering in the doorway. He glared at the waiter and Bulma rolled her eyes as the young boy quivered, shakily pushing the trolley towards Vegeta's seat as her mother instructed.

He left it there and scampered the moment he had the chance, and Vegeta smirked smugly at his evident fear. Good, these people should fear me. I'm the Saiyan Prince and I could crush this world if I so choose. He picked a couple of plates off the trolley, not really caring what each desert was as they all smelt delicious. He had to admit- begrudgingly and never out loud- that the Briefs family had high standards. He was always well fed and well serviced at their home, and he noticed the luxury they lived in compared to most other humans. And for that, they had earned his respect. Though he would never say it to her; Bulma was obviously intelligent and respected amongst the human race, as was her father, and despite her occasional idiocy, he knew she deserved it.

Annoyed at his thought process he shoved a forkful of chocolate cake into his mouth and glared at Bulma as she watched him eat. If she doesn't stop staring at me I'll blast her in a minute! As if she could read his mind, she hastily looked away and turned to talk to Yamcha.

Vegeta ate fairly slowly and silently, watching Bulma and Yamcha interact with a little interest. He scoffed silently as she laughed at the weakling's dim-witted jokes, and sneered as Yamcha complimented her adoringly- like some little pansy boy.

Bulma knew he was watching them, and some strange desire to make him jealous overcame her. I'll show that grumpy git who he's messing with. He thinks he's so much better than me? Ha, he wishes. She giggled girlishly at Yamcha, stroked his arm, batted her eyelashes and pouted prettily as he complimented her. She behaved like she had ten years ago when she had first been trying to get his attention and as he began to trip over his words and stare at her dreamily, she looked over to Vegeta and found him glaring at her in distaste.

She looked away again hastily, and felt annoyance swarm her. Oh hell, why do I care what he thinks? …Because you're supposed to be trying to be his friend…Oh heck. I am, aren't I? And flirting with Yamcha isn't going to prove anything. Eugh. She rolled her eyes at her own stupidity, and spent the rest of the evening acting as normal with Yamcha, briefly wondering at what point she had stopped becoming excited at being around him and talking to him.

When Vegeta had finished his desert, her mother insisted on coffee, but Vegeta stubbornly refused. Bulma couldn't help but agree with him; she was beginning to feel tired and uncomfortable and confused under Yamcha's attentions.

"Oh well, goodnight darling," her mother said heartily, as Bulma excused herself and kissed her parents goodnight. "Good night Vegeta." She added cheerfully, and her husband echoed her sentiment.

Vegeta, pushing out of his seat, nodded his head in response and watched as Bulma carefully avoided Yamcha's eyes intent on her. She looked up briefly and smiled softly, "Goodnight Yamcha."

Vegeta almost sniggered aloud as the weakling's face fell as she left the room and he sneered at him as he past and followed her footsteps out of the room. He wasn't surprised when he found her waiting at the foot of the stairs, but he paid her no heed as he approached them.

He was just about to pass her when she reached out, her hand hovering in front of his chest hesitantly.

"Vegeta," she sucked in a breath and forced herself to look up at him, "thank you for coming tonight."

He stared back at her, frowning at the confusion and weariness on her face, and simply nodded back at her. Bulma, surprised at his polite behaviour, smiled slightly. "You, err, well, I hope you join us more often."

Vegeta's eyebrows rose, she wants me to join them more often? He scanned her face suspiciously for any sign of hidden intention or mockery but there was none. Hmm, what is going on with this woman? He flicked his eyes over her again, noting how much better her hair looked when it wasn't in that ridiculous perm. "Your hair…it doesn't look so ridiculous anymore."

He hadn't really meant to say it aloud, and the shock of the half-compliment was plastered across both their faces.

"You noticed?!" Bulma asked, surprised. Yamcha hadn't and even her father hadn't commented!

Vegeta bristled, "My attention span is much better than that lunkhead's." He knew she had been comparing him to Yamcha and the thought churned a horrible, strange feeling in his stomach.

Bulma grinned, "Well, I didn't know I was in your attention span." She let out a little laugh, "Thanks anyway. Good night." She swept past him, still beaming and Vegeta gaped after her.

In my attention span? The audacity! I don't give a damn about her…He frowned after her silhouette moving up the stairs and angrily ignored the small voice that whispered, Yes you do.

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