'Face to Face'

Chapter Eight: Headaches and Heartache

'Don't want to love you,

If you don't love me.

Don't want to need you,

When you won't need me too.

Don't want to tell you this now,

But it wouldn't be right,

If I didn't tell you this tonight.'

Samantha Mumba: Gotta Tell You

Bulma gulped down another glass of water and groaned. "Oh, my head is killing me."

"So was mine when all I could hear was your ridiculous nattering last night."

Bulma spun around and immediately wished she hadn't when bile rose in her throat and her vision blurred sickeningly.

Vegeta sneered, "You 're suffering for your idiocy now."

Bulma pulled a face, "Oh sod off Vegeta…." She leant back against the kitchen countertop and put a hand to her forehead. When Vegeta merely leaned against the doorway and stared at her disdainfully she stood up straight again and sucked up a breath- and my pride, she thought with annoyance- before saying, "Look, thanks for, well," she paused and flushed, "thanks for carrying me to bed."

"I did it for my own gain woman, waking up to your pathetic drunken form in the morning would have put me off my training. Don't expect me to do it again." His tone was cold and hard.

Bulma flinched, but her temper flared, "I didn't ask for your help! I'm more than capable of looking after myself!"

Vegeta sneered, "You clung on to me like a whimpering baby….or don't you recall simpering about how hot I am?"

Bulma blinked and flushed. Did I really say that? She vaguely remembered talking to Chi-Chi about Goku, Vegeta and Yamcha…Oh bugger, we did say something like that! She felt absolutely mortified he had seen her in such a state…but to have heard her say that too…she wanted to drown herself in her jug of water…How humiliating. And kami, he's being such a bastard about it!

Vegeta chuckled cruelly, "So you do remember…" he stood up straight and made to leave the kitchen, before demanding over his shoulder, "Sort yourself out woman and get to work."

Bulma looked up and gaped. What the hell is his problem today? Honestly, I swear he has got worse mood swings than a toddler mixed with a menopausal woman! Yesterday he was actually talking nicely to me and now…jeez, I don't know what is up with this guy! She gulped down some more water and frowned. Heck, why am I so mortified about being drunk anyway? So what?! I had a good night out with Chi-Chi…and Vegeta can hardly tease me about saying he was hot….he was all over me a few weeks ago! A delicious shiver went down her spine at the memory. 'Sort yourself out'. Ha. Whatever Vegetable-Head…I know you like being friends with me really…

"Wow Yamcha, this place is great." Bulma smiled as Yamcha led her through the crowded, but stylish restaurant. It was a bit loud for her, but miles better than anywhere he'd ever taken her before. She was touched by the effort he had clearly made…he was wearing a brand new suit and had obviously tried hard to get the restaurant right…for once, she thought, a little bitterly.

Yamcha grinned, "I knew you'd like it." He glanced over her appreciatively again, "You look great."

Bulma smiled and brushed down the red halter-neck dress slightly. "You've said that already."

Yamcha chuckled, and pulled out her chair for her, kissing her cheek gently and whispering "That's because you really do."

Bulma smiled again, and the waiter passed her a menu as Yamcha slid into his own seat opposite her.

"What can I get you to drink?"

Yamcha grinned, "A bottle of your finest white wine."

Bulma frowned, "Yamcha…I don't like white wine." She inwardly rolled her eyes, Kami- you'd think he'd know that by now!

"Since when?!" Yamcha said incredulously, finally tearing his eyes from her breasts.

"Since forever!" Bulma cried back in annoyance. The waiter looked between the two in apprehension.

Yamcha frowned, "No way Bulma…" but as Bulma's eyes narrowed dangerously he put his hands up in surrender. "Ok, ok, Sorry." He turned back to the waiter to order again, but the waiter turned to Bulma and smiled.

"Perhaps the lady should decide?"

Bulma beamed at him. "Thank you. I'll have a glass of Dom Perignon please."

The waiter nodded and then turned to Yamcha, who was scowling at him furiously. "I'll have a house beer." He rolled his eyes as the waiter nodded and sent Bulma another smile. What a suck-ass. Jeez, is he trying to make me look bad?!

He turned back to Bulma with an apologetic smile, "Sorry babe. I must have got confused."

Bulma rolled her eyes and glanced around the restaurant. It was beautifully decorated, with luxurious marble pillars and plush tables and chairs. She heard a distant roar of laughter and looked into the corner where a few men had surrounded themselves with a gaggle of pretty- and most probably air-headed- women. She rolled her eyes again and then spotted Yamcha looking over at them. She scowled. That's probably why he really brought me here.

As if he could read her mind, Yamcha looked up guiltily and smiled again. "So, how are those secret projects going?"

Bulma raised an eyebrow archly but decided to answer nonetheless. "They're going well, Dad and I have got a few stats to work on…but some of them should be finished too. Vegeta will be pleased with them I think."

Yamcha pulled a face, "Do we have to talk about Vegeta?"

"Oh grow up, will you?! I was just mentioning him- I'm not asking you to have a long discussion about him." Bulma sighed, catching sight of the waiter making his way over with their drinks with relief. She needed a drink- she needed to loosen up. She'd been in such a tense mood all day- and she blamed it entirely on the aforementioned Saiyan Prince for starting her morning badly.

Yamcha pulled another face, "Why would you want to have a long discussion about him?!" he looked up as the waiter placed their drinks down. "Thanks."

"Are you ready to order?" the waiter asked.

Bulma and Yamcha said "No," simultaneously and he shrunk away again.

Bulma begun to flick through the menu idly, and Yamcha took a swig of his beer and said "Well?" petulantly.

"Well what?" Bulma responded coolly, quickly deciding on the salmon dish.

"Why would you want to discuss Vegeta?" Ever since Vegeta had blown up the Gravity Chamber those months ago, Yamcha had suspected that something was going on between Vegeta and Bulma. He didn't know what it was, and he had been trying to convince himself it was just Bulma's desire to rein in the 'bad boy' or something equally silly. But as time had passed- particularly recently- something had changed. Bulma seemed more and more determined to befriend Vegeta and impress him, and Yamcha wasn't obnoxious enough to not notice the difference in the Saiyan's behaviour towards Bulma in return. He knew as well that the Saiyan Prince found Bulma attractive and- his stomach churned slightly- he knew Bulma found Vegeta attractive too. He shook himself as Bulma flicked another page of her menu and said, "He's pretty interesting."

"Interesting? What the hell does that mean?!" Yamcha cried, and a few people nearby turned their heads in surprise and curiosity.

Bulma looked up at him furiously, "It means I think he's interesting. Now, quieten down and choose your order!"

Yamcha scowled, but looked down at his menu in grumpy obedience. Man, this was supposed to be the night we get back together, not argue over that asshole again! He looked over at the group of girls and the two men they were with again, and one of them- a pretty blonde- caught his eye with a sly wink. He grinned back and then looked guiltily over at Bulma. She hadn't noticed. Of course not, she's probably thinking about how ' interesting' Vegeta is, he thought resentfully.

The date was not going well. Bulma knew the exact point it had started to rapidly decline from bad to awful was when one of the men from the corner table had turned out to be one of Yamcha's old baseball managers and had spotted him as he made his way back from the bathroom. From then on, they had been steamrolled into joining the party. Bulma was furious. She had spent the better part of the night trying to get Yamcha's old manager to stop flirting with her whilst Yamcha flirted with everyone else. She knew he was doing it partly because he was pissed off about her Vegeta comment, but she also knew he was doing it because he could never resist temptation. And the blonde sitting next to him was the epitome of that.

If he can't even resist whilst I'm around what would he be like when I'm not?! Bulma thought exasperatedly, Like he was before…a playboy. A small voice whispered in her head. She frowned. He wouldn't cheat on me again. He wouldn't. She thought back to what Chi-Chi had said; he'd mentioned settling down to Goku…and he loves me. She looked over at him, and saw how his eyes were intent on the blonde's bust, nodding along as she chatted and giggled, batting her eyelashes and tracing a hand up his arm. He didn't do a thing to stop her as her hand continued its journey onto his shoulders. Bulma realised - as he suddenly looked up guiltily and found her eyes with apologies shining in his own- that he did love her…just not enough and definitely not enough for her. She smiled slightly in return, feeling surprisingly okay about it. She knew she hadn't been convinced of her own feelings for him, and she knew that no matter what Chi-Chi said or what she tried to make herself believe, she could give up years with him- not because they didn't mean anything at all, but because they didn't mean anything anymore. Yes, she had loved him once…but she didn't anymore and she knew she never would again. She excused herself from the table and practically had to shove the girl next to her to get out of her seat, but she managed it and she gathered up her red satin clutch and strode from the restaurant gracefully.

"Bulma! Bulma!" Yamcha called after her, catching up with her just as she reached the outside. She turned in surprise- she hadn't realised he'd followed her.

"What are you doing?" she asked tiredly.

"Bulma, look," he paused and rubbed his neck nervously. "Look. I know this has been a shit date. I'm really sorry about that…and," he gestured back inside wildly, "and about the girls and things…but the thing is…" he stepped toward, his face setting seriously. "I love you Bulma."

Bulma stared back at him…Nothing. No heart flutters. No flip-flopping stomach. She sighed. "Yamcha,"

"No, Bulma, I do love you. I want us to be together…like we used to be. We're made for each other Bulma." He stepped toward her again and she knew he was going to kiss her so she put her hand on his chest and held him still.

"Yamcha stop."

There was something in her voice that made his stomach churn.

"Yamcha, I." she stepped away from him and her heart lurched sadly. "I'm sorry Yamcha but we can't. We can't be together." There was a horrible silence where Yamcha's face fell. "I don't love you anymore. And I don't want us to be like we used too…we broke up all the time…you cheated on me Yamcha! I don't want to go back to that!"

"But it won't! I won't! Bulma, I.." his voice shook.

"It will Yamcha! It always does." She touched her hand to his cheek lightly. "I'm sorry. But I don't love you anymore."

He stared at her wordlessly, hurt and confusion across his face and his eyes – they looked so sad- that Bulma felt her own well with tears. She leant up and kissed his cheek. "I'm sorry."

And she swept away swiftly, climbing gracefully into the back of the black Bentley without a backwards glance. She put her head in her hands. She didn't love him anymore. But some part of her wished she still did; all those years for this… I never thought it would be like this.

Just as the car was sliding away, Yamcha leapt forward and opened the door, sliding in next to Bulma nimbly.

"Stop!" he called to the driver as Bulma turned to him, her cerulean eyes wide with surprise.

"Bulma…I've got to tell you again. I love you. I always have…" he dropped his head slightly and gulped. His chest heaved. "And I'm sorry for everything. Everything."

He looked up and wrapped an arm around her and pulled her against him tightly. "I know," he paused, "I know you don't love me now…but I had to tell you. Just so you knew."

He pulled away and smiled sadly. "Let's go back."

Bulma nodded gently, before signalling to the driver to carry on.

Yamcha nodded silently in response to Bulma's soft 'Goodnight' and watched her as she headed up the stairs and towards her bedroom. He slunk into his own and undid his tie, flinging it onto the bed before flopping down. He let out a long sigh. Man, I can't believe it. This is definitely not what I expected to happen.

"Yamcha?" Puar squeaked from the doorway and Yamcha rolled over and stared morosely.

"Yamcha? What happened?" Puar flew in, concerned at the tired look of sad resignation of Yamcha's face.

Yamcha sat up and dropped his head in his hands. "She doesn't love me anymore."

"What?!" Puar squeaked, hovering closer to Yamcha's shaking shoulders.

"Bulma…she doesn't love me." He paused and looked up. "Shit. Puar, what the hell do I do? She doesn't love me anymore…she just…doesn't….I thought we were meant for each other. Shit." He dropped his head in his hands again, and Puar landed on his shoulder to comfort him.

I can't believe it. She doesn't love me…his heart constricted painfully. After everything we've been through…I've lost her. His mind flashed back to every moment he could remember, and he flopped back on his bed with a groan as he tortured himself with memories of things that would never be again.

Bulma crawled into bed and hugged her pillow to her chest. She felt vaguely numb and light-headed. I can't believe it. I'm not in love with him anymore. I just, gave it all up…just like that. She bit her lip and led back, putting her now squashed silk pillow behind her head. But I know I've made the right decision- for the past few months I haven't felt the same about him, and no matter what everyone else might say- I know I've made the right decision. "I'm just surprised." She said aloud, blinking into the darkness. Surprised about how easy it was to say it and end it all…I'm almost…relieved. She swallowed tightly. She was relieved! She could feel it- it was relief settling in her stomach, not regret or sadness. Sure, she would miss him- but as a friend more than anything. "Well, we'll still be friends!" she said with determination, before rolling onto her stomach. "I'll just give it some time…we'll always be friends."

She had no idea that on the ground floor, in Yamcha's room, Puar was trying to console Yamcha with that same piece of information.

Bulma woke up the next day in a surprisingly good mood, she met her personal trainer and eased through his gruelling regime with candour and found herself taking even more of an effort than usual as she showered and got ready afterwards. She picked up some fruit for breakfast and made her way to her father's lab.

"Hey Daddy." She buzzed in and plonked down a hot pot of tea next to her father's mail tray.

"Bulma, good morning!" Her father beamed up at her from his position on his knees behind his desk. He stood up and brushed down his lab coat.

"What were you doing on the floor?" Bulma asked quizzically, sliding a slice of apple into her mouth and perching on the edge of his desk.

He grinned, "I dropped my pen." He waved his favourite quill-like pen at her and then noticed the pot of tea. "Oh thank you!"

Bulma rolled her eyes but smiled fondly. "Have you done any more work on the new Gravity Chamber? I was thinking about showing Vegeta one of the new bots today- that way he can test it out and we'll know if we need to make any more adjustments on them before letting him loose on them all."

Dr Briefs nodded, before suddenly remembering Bulma had been out with Yamcha the night before. "How was your night?"

Bulma frowned, "It was ok." She stood up and logged onto the computer, "Anyway," she tossed her hair over her shoulder. "I had a great idea for the new Chamber- remember how Vegeta's always messing around with the gravity levels and how badly that affects the temperature? Well, I thought that we should put in a temperature gauge and set that with an automatic diffuser. If it gets too hot or cold, it will automatically change the conditioning to normal levels, so Vegeta won't be interrupted so much and we won't have to check the controls so much."

Dr Briefs stared at his daughter in wonder. Only she could think of something so simple and make it genius. He grinned proudly. "That's a great idea."

Bulma beamed, "And it will be useful in the space pods!"

Dr Briefs nodded thoughtfully again, "I'll get to work on that today then. Why don't you take one of the new bots to Vegeta now and then we can work on those for the afternoon?"

Bulma nodded and stood up, "Great." She went into the engineering room and picked out one of the new bots, tucking it under her arm with a grin. He's got to be impressed with this! I've modified it to perfection!

Bulma was surprised to see Vegeta training on the lawn. She paused in the doorway and watched as he moved quickly across the grounds, and she let out an involuntary giggle. It looks like he's fighting an invisible person!

The sound immediately caught his attention, and he stopped in mid-air, glancing down and catching sight of Bulma immediately. She waved up at him.

He floated to the ground and surveyed her. What is she so happy about? Didn't she have another date with that buffoon last night? He scowled at the thought and stepped closer, trying to see if he could sense Yamcha's scent on her. He smirked triumphantly when he found nothing but her own sweet smell. So he didn't impress her last night? Ha, bad luck idiot. You've missed out. He thought back to kissing her and a surge of desire engulfed him before he mentally kicked himself. What kind of pathetic idiot are you? Caring if she has given herself to that weakling! He growled inwardly, preparing to stalk off into the Gravity Chamber before he was halted by her hands shooting out in front of her, clutching a rather large, round, red bot.

"Surprise!" Bulma grinned widely and Vegeta looked up at her irritably, still furious with himself for being caught off guard by her and his desire for her again.

"What?" he snapped gruffly.

Bulma rolled her eyes, "It's a new bot! Remember, I told you about the new projects…I thought you should try it out, just so you can see how brilliant they are before the whole thing is done."

Vegeta looked at it and back at Bulma, "We'll see how good it is." He turned and walked towards the Chamber, shouting over his shoulder. "Well come on woman!"

Bulma growled, "Call me Bulma, or I'm not going anywhere."

Vegeta scowled. "Just do as I tell you for once woman."

Bulma scoffed, "Maybe I would if you asked nicely! Jeez, Vegeta, we've been through this before haven't we? Honestly," she huffed, "I don't know what's up with you!"

"ME?!" Vegeta cried out incredulously before he could stop himself, "You change your mind every day about everything woman! One day you're screaming like a lunatic and the next you're acting like my personal concubine!"

Bulma flushed, "I do not! Besides, you kissed me buddy!"

Vegeta clenched his fists, "You didn't exactly complain…if I hadn't stopped you'd have been begging for more."

"Oh!" Bulma burst out angrily, "You big-headed jerk!" She threw the bot on the floor and scowled. "I wouldn't beg you for anything!"

Vegeta sneered as she strode away into the house and slammed the door behind her.

She doesn't know what's up with me?! What nonsense is she talking about? Gah, this woman is so infuriating…ever since the day I've met her she's annoyed me as much as Kakarot! He scowled and shot the bot a dark glare, as if the entire thing was its fault, before slamming his way into the Gravity Chamber.

please keep reviewing all you gorgeous people :D cheers

Nintendocat- i know exactly what you mean- i get the lust thing as i think that's probably a big part of Vegeta and Bulma's relationship and it's development, but both of them are way too stubborn to just give in all the time! and i think half of it is just how much she wants to figure him out, and it's getting a bit to be vice versa too ;) Things are going to get a bit quicker now that Yamcha's out of the way...(or is he? dun dun duh!!) THANKS A LOT!

Kitty- haha i know, that was a bit silly but i wanted to let her have a little fun! I'm so glad you don't think there is any OOC-ness going on, that is my biggest worry! :D thanks again for reviewing.

RangerInBlack- perfectly?! WOOHOO that made my day...you'll have to let me know if things ever start going awry then ;) thanks for reviewing!

MelodiMoon- aw i'm glad you liked that, it made me smile as i wrote it. I hope this chapter has cleared things up for you with the whole Bulma/Yamcha thing...although he's not necessarily gone for good. And yep, Vegeta should go for it...but im afraid he's just not that simple! Although you will see him making more of an effort soon enough! :D thanks!

anenihan- a new reviewer! :D thanks! i'm so glad people seem to think it's all in character! :D keep reviewing please! cheers!