Chapter 17: Matutinal Maunderings

"It takes a great deal of courage to stand up to your enemies, but even more to stand up to your friends."

A pair of creatures, one of black, one of blue, both poised on twin balconies. Their eyes fixed on the endless stars and galaxies that danced above them, before the blue-eyed beauty turned to the midnight-flamed man. The woman was dressed in the navy gown that had once stalked through blades of grass and into the darker creature's ship. The man was dressed in something different this time, instead of armor fit for a warrior, he donned loose black pants and nothing else.

"We need to talk," She whispered.

He stared at her, waiting. Eyes as deep as the night sky were gazing at her, and she nearly lost herself in them. Taking a deep breath, she held her hand out, over her balcony, and extended it towards him.

In seconds, his hand was in hers, and the dark man was filling her space, nearly surrounding her.

"These dreams are scarcely what I desire most," His voice was rough, "However, you have my attention for the moment,"

"What… is this between us?" She attempted to gather some space between their bodies, but his grip was as strong as she expected. "What do you want from this, from me?"

The man had stiffened at her first words, but then a wicked grin surfaced. "There is only one thing I want from you, woman…" Navy waves crashed against rigid black as he kissed her.

Bulma awoke in a sweat. Silver gown soaked through, Bulma tumbled out of bed and showered in an attempt to clear her mind. The scientist paid no attention to what she threw on to wear that morning, but there were more important things on her mind.

The night prior, she'd managed to sort through everything and collect all the things she didn't want anymore, handing them off to her mother. The simple task had lost its nostalgia as the scientist had been consumed with the thought that she would possibly have a son in the future. Even likelier that her son was fathered by the man that slept in the room beside hers.

Bulma circumvented the kitchen and headed into her personal lab. She had so many questions swimming in her brain, and there was only one person that could even clue her into any answers.

The phone in her lab rang only twice before her oldest friend picked up, "Hello?"

"Hey, Goku!"

"Oh wow, hey Bulma! What's up?"

"Oh… not much. I feel like it's been forever since I've seen you! I mean… I just wanted to see if you were free sometime today. I know you and Gohan are busy training for the androids…"

"Well, sure! We usually take a break around noon for a while. Chichi fixes us lunch and that's when Gohan usually does his homework for the day,"

"How about I bring some extra food and join you guys for lunch?"

"That sounds great, Bulma! We'll see you around noon!"

"Okay. Later, Goku," Bulma hung the phone up, letting out a breath. She'd been worried that her oldest friend would ask why she wanted to come over. They rarely talked outside of Bulma calling every few weeks and asking how everything was progressing.

After the fallout between Chichi and Bulma, they'd both apologized, but never truly patched things up. Chichi was still set on labeling Vegeta a murderer, even though Goku had basically forgiven him. This new conclusion that Bulma had come to, if Goku was able to confirm it, pretty much declared Bulma and Chichi's friendship over. Bulma didn't think that the younger woman would ever forgive Vegeta and would always treat him with less decency than he deserved. And Bulma would always believe that Vegeta could become a truly honorable and good man, although she knew it would take a while.

A long while.

Heading back into the Kitchen, Vegeta was sitting at the table, downing as much food at once as his mouth would allow him. Bulma's mother was buzzing around the room, though she stopped for a moment and glanced at her daughter, "Good morning, My Sweet Angel! Are you hungry?"

"Yeah, is there anything that Vegeta doesn't have dibs on?" As she spoke, the eating sounds had stopped, and Bulma glanced over to Vegeta. He was staring at her.

"Here you are darling," Bunny Briefs handed her daughter a plate full of pancakes and bacon, "Now, I've got to go get ready. I'm playing bridge over at Margie's at lunch. There's plenty of food in the fridge to reheat for lunch," The older woman was gone before the flustered genius could thank her.

Bulma cleared her throat, her house-mate still gawking at her with a very Un-Vegeta-like expression on his face, "What? Do I have something on my face?" She paused for a moment before assessing her reflection on the large, stainless steel fridge. That's when she noticed it.

She'd thrown on a night-gown just like the one in her dream. The eating sounds resumed as she turned her glance back to Vegeta. He didn't know about her dream, so why had he been so interested?

Her face flushed at the thought that the Prince of All Saiyans had been checking her out. The blush deepened when thoughts of a future son came fluttering into her mind. Sitting down across from Vegeta, Bulma dug into her food in an effort to clear her dirty mind.

After a few minutes of silence, she spoke. "The construction should be finished today on the GSR, and they should start coating the ship tomorrow morning. It should be ready the day after tomorrow. I'll be gone until this afternoon, so if you have any concerns with the finished look of the ship, let me know before dinner,"

"This project is just as important as any of your work, woman. You should be here when they finish it, instead of wasting your time among useless piles of paper and idiotic humans,"

"Awww, I didn't realize you cared, Vegeta. However, I'm not going to work today, I'm going to go see Goku,"

"Kakkarott!? What do you need to see that imbecile for, woman? You're going there to give him a progress update on my training, aren't you? You're attempting to help him! I won't stand for this!" Vegeta stood, "You will not go,"

"Vegeta, you are in no condition to order me around. You are not my superior, and I am going to go see Goku. If you have a problem with that, deal with it!"

"I will tie you up and gag you, woman," The prince threatened.

Bulma placed her chin delicately upon the knuckles of her right hand, and did a slow once-over on Vegeta's form. "Promise?"

He looked disgusted, "Vulgar woman,"

The brilliant woman laughed, "Vegeta, I'll only be there for an hour or two. I'm just going to hang out for lunch, he's my oldest friend and I wanted to see him before he possibly contracts this… heart virus," Her eyes had softened when she realized that it could happen at any time,

"Then I will accompany you,"

Bulma made an attempt to keep her voice from panicking, "Vegeta, you don't have to do that. I'm having lunch with Goku, Chichi and Gohan. I'm sure you don't want to sit around while those lesser than you chit-chat about our lives," If Vegeta came, Bulma would never be able to get Goku alone.

"When will you return?"

She let out a relieved breath, "I will be back as soon as I can. No later than three or four,"

He stood, the six plates that he'd practically licked clean were stacked in his hands. As he walked to the sink, Bulma realized that he was wearing nothing but loose, black pants. Very un-like his typical form-fitting garments, and for those few moments, her mind was sent reeling.

What was happening to them? Vegeta had obviously reacted when he noticed what she was wearing, and he was wearing the same outfit in her dream. Was she going insane? Was something bigger happening between them, something unexplainable?

Bulma stood, forgetting her half-eaten meal. "Vegeta…"

He acknowledged her with a simple grunt.

"If this medicine doesn't work… If Goku dies before the androids come, and you become Super Saiyan…" She watched his expressions change as she spoke, miniscule movements in his face as he processed her words. "Will you stay and defeat the androids?"

"What use will that be to me?"

"It won't," She answered honestly. "I just hoped that something on this Earth might've meant…"

"I will stay," He admitted. "I will defeat them, and then I will take my leave of this gods-forsaken planet," The second half of his statement seemed bereft of his usual heat and resolve.

Bulma smiled and wrapped her arms around the Prince's neck, burying her face into the crook of his warm shoulder. She could've sworn that he smelled almost like a wildfire, before whispering to him, "Thank you, Vegeta,"

He stood there while she held him, before he let his own arms curl around her and return the human gesture. She pulled away a few seconds after and turned back to the table, finishing her food quietly. The Saiyan left quickly, confused and perturbed by her sudden actions.

Lunch with the Son family was just as Bulma expected it. She'd brought plenty of extra food and told Chichi that she was welcome to keep the leftovers – if there were any – so she could give herself a slight break in having to cook so much. The younger woman was thankful for Bulma's generosity, although she was suspicious of the sudden visit.

"Gohan, how is your schooling going?"

"It's okay, I guess. I wish I had more time to train,"

"Young man… School is more important than training," Chichi spoke with that warning tone in her voice. Bulma knew that if Gohan didn't tread carefully, it could easily lead to a warrior woman scream.

"I know, Mom, but I'm getting all straight-A's and the androids will be here in a year and a half! I'm ahead in all of my work-"

"Gohan, training your mind is just as important as training your body. After you've finished eating, you have to study for at least an hour. That's what we've agreed upon, besides – you just caught up in your school work, you were gone to Namek for so long,"

"Your mom's right," Bulma agreed. She knew that Gohan could easily have as much intelligence as she did at his age. "Plus, it gives your body time to rest and recover,"

"Thanks for bringing food over,"

"Anything I can do to help, Chi. Sometimes we cook more than even Vegeta can eat, so I was happy to bring extra,"

"How is Vegeta?" Goku asked. "Is his training going well?"

"Well, you already knew about the explosion about a month ago, but he's recovered completely from that. His new GSR will be ready this weekend,"

"How are things between you and Vegeta? He's not giving you any trouble, is he?" These questions oddly came from Goku, although Chichi was more likely to ask them. It sent a little signal to Bulma's mind and confirmed the suspicions that she already had. Granted, her oldest friend could just be concerned for her.

There was only one way to find out.

She had to lie.

"He's driving me absolutely crazy, Goku. He's an obscene man that ungratefully takes my family for granted. The only reason I'm keeping him at my house is so that you don't have to deal with him here," It wasn't too hard to sound sincere, Bulma simply channeled the anger she felt whenever Vegeta started to annoy her more than usual.

Bulma dragged the world's – possibly the universe's – strongest man out of his own home by his wrist. He didn't put up a fight, and as soon as they were out of the view of his home, Bulma let go of him and turned around.

"I know that you know,"

"What?" A light laugh came from her muscled friend, standing beside her in his classic stance, hand behind his head.

"I know that you know, and I want you to know that I know too,"

"Bulma… you are really confusing. Is this like one of those times you're trying to explain a science theory to me? I'm probably not going to understand,"

"Goku, I know about the boy from the future," She sighed, hoping this ruse of Goku's wouldn't last long.

"Bulma, everyone knows about him. The whole gang saw him. Are you feeling okay?"

"Just listen to me! I know where he came from, Goku,"

"Yeah, the future…" Goku started to look worried, cocking his head to the side.

"I mean… I know who built him that time machine that he traveled in, and I know who his parents are,"

Goku started to laugh uncomfortably, "Bulma, that's crazy! How could you know who his parents are? You don't even know the guy's name! You need to go home and rest,"

"Why are you so adamant that I get along with Vegeta, huh Goku? And don't think I didn't notice that the boy was wearing a capsule corporation jacket,"

"Bulma, I know that you're the only one who gives Vegeta the benefit of the doubt – well, other than me. Plus, didn't the future guy say he was a fan of CC?"

"Goku, he's my son, isn't he?" She pressed, "He's mine and Vegeta's son. That's why he kept staring at Vegeta, that's why he has blue eyes and purple hair, but can turn Super Saiyan. It's the only explanation,"

"Bulma, I swo-"

"Just tell me, Goku. Yes or no. I need to know," Bulma pleaded with him. "I won't tell anyone else,"

"He can't know,"

"I have a right to know, Goku. It's come this far," Bulma stood her ground. "If this whole thing hedges on me and Vegeta becoming something… beyond what we are right now. I would like to prepare myself as much as I can,"

Goku was silent for a long time, staring off into the sky. Slowly, he turned to her with a serious expression while quietly stating, "He's yours, and he's strong,"

All the breath in her lungs rushed out, only enough air to leave one word on her lips.

"Crap," Bulma felt her legs grow weak and she let herself fall to the ground.

"I know you don't get along with Vegeta that well, Bulma, and I know that I don't seem that bright sometimes, but even I know the consequences of what will happen if you don't get together with him. So just try and get along?"

"I lied, Goku," Her face cradled in her hands, the confirmation of her musings shining brightly in her mind. "Vegeta isn't terrible or obscene… Sometimes, he's even funny. I think I'm the only one that he actually enjoys speaking with, and it scares me. He's done horrible things, Goku, but I know from talking to him, from watching him, he could be such a great man, an honorable man,"

"I know, Bulma," Goku's voice was quiet, serious. "I'm not sure I believe in destiny, but I do think that certain things happen for a reason,"

"The scary thing is, I like him. I don't know when it happened, but sometime between finding out that you were alive, and Vegeta getting hurt in the explosion, I started to consider him my friend,"

She let out a huff, "God, this isn't going to be easy,"

"No one said it was," Goku jokes. "I think a blue-haired girl told me that once when she was trying to get me to help her find some old dragon's balls,"

Bulma laughed, "It's not easy, but it's an adventure, I guess,"

Goku held out his hand, and Bulma grabbed it, pulling herself up and dusting herself off. Letting out another stressed breath, she spoke, "Well, I certainly have some thinking to do, and some soul-crushing realizations that I have to deal with,"

"This will all work out. If the situation is how you say it is, and you and Vegeta consider each other friends-"

"Whoa, buddy. I don't think Vegeta calls anyone a friend. An adversary, certainly, a comrade, maybe, but that man does not look for friends,"

Goku agreed, "He's stubborn alright, but I know a woman that could give him a run for his money,"

"Hey!" She smacked him lightly on the shoulder as they started walking back to the house, "I think you're right though, I suppose that I'll just have to make him realize how he feels about us…"

Stopping in front of the house, Bulma hugged Goku. "Tell Chichi and Gohan that I said Goodbye. I gave your wife some extra medicine for your heart virus, in case you need it. I guess I'll let you know… how everything works out,"

"Good luck, Bulma,"

"Thanks, I'm gonna need it," She felt as though she were sighing for the fiftieth time that afternoon.

Now she just had to gain the courage to talk to Vegeta, and figure out how the hell she would convince him to have a child with her. Hopping on her capsule bike, she thought, Oh, this will just be loads of fun.

A/N: Friends, this is wild that I'm posting this. This is so many, many years after I first posted this fic and I never thought I would come back to do anything more. It turns out that as I was preparing to write my first original fiction - it's actually in the midst of being written, but I wanted to store it somewhere on my dropbox for a copywriter to help me out - I found several SEVERAL chapters of this fanfic that I never posted. So I'll put them up and give people heart attacks over the next few days, reminding them how old they are when they see this has been updated. I left the fun fact below from when I first wrote this in 2014.

Fun Fact: Have you ever read a B/V fic that is Rated M, is over 60K in words, and has yet to feature a lemon? Am I setting some sort of DBZ Fanfic World Record? If so, that's a fun fact. I promise you won't have to wait much longer!