Reflexively, Bulma glanced in Goku's direction. He had already begun to descend the ships ramp, getting closer to their welcome party. Her heart sped and she took a deep steadying breath before following him down. Immediately, they were surrounded by laughter and hugs from their friends. Everyone was so happy to see them, but Bulma only wished to be back in space with Goku. She watched, trying to remember to act normal, as he left the group of men to approach his fiance, ChiChi. Bulma's stomach did flips as he lightly kissed her cheek

"Hi ChiChi." His warm smile was met with ChiChi's, and they embraced.

"Oh, Goku, I missed you so much!" She squeezed her arms tightly around his waist and nestled her face into his broad chest. Bulma felt her chest get tighter as she watched Goku in such a comfortable embrace.

When Yamcha approached her with open arms, Bulma forced a smile and stepped into them.

"Bulma, you ok?" Yamcha asked, holding her shoulders back slightly to better see her face.

"Oh, yeah, I'm fine! So happy to be home!" She smiled brightly and pressed her face against Yamcha's shoulder in a big hug. But her bright blue eyes found Goku's. Bulma shut her eyes tightly to avoid betraying how she felt to anyone.

The rest of the day passed in a flurry of activity. The entire group had a party to celebrate Bulma and Goku's return. They discussed everything that had happened on the trip to their friends. Well, almost everything. They shared that on the journey home, they did a puzzle of the world tournament. They also commented on all of the planets that they visited, and what interesting people they met on the way. Before they knew it, night was almost over, and it was time to get some sleep.

Goku's wedding was just around the corner, and it was going to be a long week of preparations, and celebrations.

Goku was in bed, staring at the ceiling, with his fingers interlaced underneath his head. After letting out a deep sigh, he realized that he could not fall asleep. I can't believe the day is already over, he thought. He tried to remember his interactions with his friends, but the only moments that seemed to matter were the ones when he and Bulma had made eye contact. Each time their eyes had met, his stomach twisted, and his skin got hot. He thought he saw the same reaction in her, too. But he couldn't be sure. She looked away every time. Man, I can't wait to see her again." Goku sat up on his bed and ran his fingers through his thick black hair. I need to think of a reason to go to her. Or spend time with her, he stood and took a few steps, to the window. Looking outside at the dawning sky, he wondered if she was alone.

After a long, hot shower, Bulma stepped into her room, and towel dried her hair. She couldn't stop an edge of frustration from creeping into her mood. Letting out a groan, she thought Ugh! He looked so relaxed hugging ChiChi! I could barely even smile at Yamcha! She remembered how Yamcha had asked her to stay with him that night, but she insisted against it, saying she was way to tired to not sleep peacefully in her own bed. But that wasn't really the reason. Now that it was time to sleep, all she could do was pace, and remember her busy day. Twenty four hours ago, she had been blissfully asleep, still feeling Goku's body in her dreams. I didn't get a single minute with him! After donning a t-shirt and a pair of shorts, Bulma pulled her blinds open and stared at the sky. Dawn was just beginning to break, and the sky was still starry, and mostly dark. The line of fiery orange along the horizon made her think of Goku's training outfit. She opened the window and closed her eyes as the night breeze cooled her skin. A soft moan escaped her pink lips as she imagined lifting Goku's orange shirt over his head...

"Bulma?" His voice shot through her body like lightning.

"Oh! Goku!" she squealed, nearly falling backwards from shock. "Wh-Why are you here?" She clutched her arms around her chest, and felt as her face burned in embarrassment.

"I just... Missed you." He said shyly as he floated just outside her window. Forgetting her nerves, Bulma reached forward and opened the window a little bit wider, and her heart raced as he landed softly on her carpet. "It will be morning soon." He said, looking a little sad.

The blue haired girl just stepped forward and wrapped her arms tightly around him. Goku raised his arms around her, and pressed her soft body against his. "I'm so happy you're here.." Bulma's muffled voice sounded from his chest. He let his large hands journey down the gentle slope of her back until his fingers caught the waistline of her shorts, and he felt the warmth of her breath through his shirt. He inhaled deeply, the sweet scent of her shampoo still left over in her lightly damp hair and his skin tingled where her hands moved on his back, resting softly on his broad shoulder blades.

Suddenly, Gokyu twisted the fingers of his right hand into Bulma's hair and pressed his lips firmly against hers, and lifted her up by her thigh with his left hand, carrying her to her neatly made bed.

"Oh, Goku..." Bulma sighed into his ear, the hot sensation of her breath on his ear driving him wild. He dropped her excitedly onto the mattress and took a brief moment to absorb the sight of her staring up at him. Her lips and cheeks were bright, and her eye lids weighed heavy with lust. Her turquoise hair shimmered against the comforter in disarray. Leaning over one half of her body, he pulled her thigh up until it pressed against his ribs, running his rough palm up the length of her thigh, and under her shorts until it rested on her cheek, where he gave her a hard squeeze. She moaned and lifted her shirt up over her head, revealing her bare torso. Goku hungrily kissed her breasts, kneading them in his free hand as his other pushed even further up her back, stretching the seams of her pajama shorts.

Bulma closed her eyes and enjoyed the feeling of his warm mouth and hands all over her body, arching her body to press it more firmly against him, until she realized something.

"Wait..." she breathed, struggling to find her voice. Goku grunted in response, but continued his exploration of her flesh, ripping her shorts away in a swift movement. "Goku..." She wanted to ask him something, but the memory of the question eluded her as his lips trailed hot kisses up her thighs, moving closer and closer to her panty line. Finding her strength, she sat up, pulling her body away from his face in the process, "Goku wait," she started, but she finished with a light scream as he grabbed her arms roughly and pushed her back down onto the bed.

"Why?" His voice shocked Bulma, halfway between a growl and a whimper. He saw in her face that he was out of line, and stepped away from her. "What is it?" Trying to regain his composure, Goku turned his back away from her and took a few steadying breaths. Bulma followed suit, until she could speak.

"Your wedding is only a few days from now Goku... What are we going to do?" Bulma pushed her hair away from her face and looked at Goku's back as the moments passed.

After some consideration, Goku turned to face her, her bright blue eyes capturing the orange sunrise in a way that left him breathless. "I've gotta talk to ChiChi." He answered. "I have to tell her that I can't..." Staring at her face, Goku could see the worry in Bulma's expression. Honestly, he was worried too. He had no idea how to tell ChiChi he wasn't going to marry her. He could barely wrap his mind around the thought, let alone speak the words aloud. "I'm going to be with you, Bulma." Those words, he could say without hesitation. "I can't not be with you now..." as he spoke the words, Bulma rose from her mattress, and approached him. The shadow of a smile crossed her features as she rose to her tip toes to place a soft kiss on his chin.

"I know how you feel..." After a long embrace, Bulma heard someone moving around the house outside of her room. "You need to go." Goku smiled at her and kissed her on the forehead before turning to the window and placing one foot on the sill.

"See you later." He flew away in a burst of power, leaving Bulma breathless as a gust of wind rustled her hair.

Well now that I've gotten no sleep at all... Bulma thought, unable to erase the smile from her face, or the throbbing in her chest. She put her pajama shirt back on and sat on the corner of her bed, bracing herself for the day ahead.