A/N: Hey everyone! Long time no post, right? Sorry about the wait but as we all know real life takes priority over hobbies. It's nothing to worry about but I do hope to get back into somewhat more regular updates. No promises though. In any case, here's another chapter so please enjoy.

Edit: Also I know I said in the last chapter that they'd be arriving on Vegetasei in this chapter because I had originally intended to have this and the next chapter as one. As I was writing it, however, I realized how long it was getting and that I might as well get this part out now while I worked on the rest for the next update.

'Tomorrow.' Bulma thought to herself. 'Tomorrow we'll be landing on the Saiyan home planet known as Vegetasei . After that we'll have only three weeks until Frieza comes to 'celebrate Vegeta's birthday' and check in on 'Vegeta's' progress with the inventions. In addition to an improved version of the scouter and cloaking device, Vegeta also plans on presenting an even greater invention that will make Frieza's scientists look inept. Never mind the fact that I'm the one that is going to have to make all these things. Oh, and something that would make him stronger as well since I didn't already have enough on my plate.'

Bulma sighed and closed her eyes trying to reign in the anger her thoughts had turned to and decided to focus not on why she has to do it but how she was going to do. Once calm, or at least calmer than before, Bulma returned to her planning. 'The scouter and the cloaking device shouldn't be any problem since I was already in the process of finishing those before I even met Vegeta. In fact that biggest problem will be making sure that the inventions are designed to reflect Vegeta's personal taste since the point is that everyone believes that he made them himself. Then again, that too probably won't be too much trouble since every time I try to explain the purpose or reasoning behind one of the inventions he feels the need to point out how pointlessly over-elaborate the designs are. In addition to that, I'll have to dig through the stuff from the home lab to find the capsule prototypes since Vegeta insists that he has to rub the capsule technology in Frieza's face. Doesn't he understand how suspicious it would be that he suddenly made something advanced enough to condense solid matter into a palm sized space? But making all of those things work wasn't nearly as mind-racking as trying to figure out a way to make someone stronger in a short amount of time. Other than working out with equipment or taking supplements nothing is really coming to mind. Not to mention they're already insanely powerful if their muscles are any implication. How much stronger would they…'

Bulma's eyes popped open at the feeling a hand sliding up her back and under her shirt. "Damn it, Vegeta!" She reared back from as far as Vegeta's arm would let her move away. "What is wrong with you?!"

"You were falling asleep again, Woman," Vegeta responded causally from his relaxed position.

"No I wasn't! I was just concentrating on other things."

Vegeta just scoffed and rolled his eyes. "That's just as bad. You can't just block out everything and think that you'll make any progress."

"Well I wouldn't have trouble making progress if you didn't just go about groping me while I'm trying to get my body and mind to relax!" Her previous anger towards him returning as she saw him roll his eyes. This past week they had been trying to get her used to being in contact with him. So far it had been much of the same process. He lies down on the couch, she braces herself and lies down on top of him, she tries to calm down and focus on him without focusing on her phobia, and then when she thinks she's starting to make progress he ruins is by touching her. If she didn't know any better she would think that he was touching her because he enjoyed it rather than just to annoy her.

She let out a small yelp as she felt his hand move down over her bottom and squeeze it. "Wha…what are you doing?!"

Vegeta just gave her the smirk she had dubbed his 'trademark smirk' before explaining, "I just figured that if you were considering my actions before as 'groping' that you would need a demonstration so you'll know the difference. You need to stop over analyzing things and just act, unless all you're capable of is pointless contemplating things. "

She was sure she hated this man. Not only did he not seem to understand how much time and thought went into her work but he also had no patience or regard for anyone else even if they're were doing something that benefitted him.

Not to mention that his actions caused foreign feelings to course through her body; foreign feelings that she would have contently been attributing to fear if it weren't for her big mouth. Never had she imagined that confiding in Chichi that morning would backfire on her.

"It's been, what, five days since we've seen each other? Five days! Ugh, I wish Goku had let me come earlier. Heaven knows that you need a break from that egotistical jerk's brutish ways. If only Vegeta was as kind and understanding as Goku, then you'd have no problem making this plan work."

"If you're so worried about me we could always trade," Bulma teased.

Chichi choked on her tea. "No thank you. I meant that Vegeta should be more like Goku, not that switching would solve anything."

Bulma smiled at her friend who, despite her ranting about Vegeta, was obviously head over heels for the kinder Saiyan in the quartet's ruse. She couldn't blame her though. Kakarot was more understanding when it came to interacting with others and seemed to know that a smile and kind words could accomplish as much, or even more, than an act of violence and words of intimidation. When Chichi talked about him she would blush and smile brilliantly and Bulma could see that Kakarot was happy to meet someone that accepted that what had happened in his past was a benefit and not something to cast aside and ignore. She supposed that she could also call him Goku but she didn't feel the same connection that Chichi obviously did. Not to mention that Vegeta always called him Kakarot so she had naturally become more accustomed to him being called that.

"Not to mention that I don't think that Goku would be able to pass off the illusion that you two are lovers. I mean, with me, it would be okay since no one's really looking for me but everyone's eyes are going to be on you and it'll have to be convincing."

"Yeah," Bulma laughed," I recall Vegeta saying that he could guarantee your safety since he didn't believe that Kakarot even knew what sex was."

"Well, that's not necessarily a bad thing, you know. Nothing wrong with waiting for the right person to come into your life and spark passion within you."

"Chi, you sound like these corny romances I've been using for reference."

"Well it's true! I mean, sure you can jump into bed with anyone but if the chemistry isn't there then the experience won't be as meaningful or as fulfilling."

Bulma raised a brow at her friend. "Uh-huh. And since when are you an expert on fake and real passion? I don't recall you ever even having a boyfriend back on Earth."

"Well, no I've never actually experienced the act but I'm sure that when the right person comes along something inside just makes itself known and tells you that this is the one. Their smile, their voice, their touch: If even the little things can cause such an explosion of feelings, then surely anything more would be the same. " Chichi smiled before snapping back to her smirking friend and clearing her throat. "Theoretically, of course."

"Of course."

"Anyway, how has it been going? With your practice, I mean. You said that you're using the romance stories as a reference. Has it been working?"

Bulma's smile faded as she let out a sigh. "I don't know, Chi. I'm trying. I'm trying so hard but it hasn't been easy, especially with Vegeta moving at a faster pace than I'm ready for. I decided to try this one scene from a movie where the two are just lounging, the girl laying on top of the guy just relaxing. Sounds easy, right? Even with my phobia I thought that this shouldn't be too hard. But of course, Vegeta makes anything easy hard. First off, the guy is so warm and surprisingly comfortable despite being nothing but muscle. I actually fell asleep the first time. When I woke up his hand was under my shirt and I freaked out."

"Yes, I do believe that was when the King decided to play his son a visit." Chichi giggled as she thought back. "Goku had to close the door so the King wouldn't hear the tongue-lashing you gave Vegeta."

"Well, it was his fault for groping me while I was asleep! And this isn't something that can be passed off as unintentionally moving while asleep either. Every time we try this he puts his hands on me and it just makes everything worse. I try to think of other things: blueprints, calculations, basic math, but the second he puts his hands on me my mind goes blank, my heart speeds up, and my body is wrecked with shivers of fear. I just don't know what I'm going to do."

Bulma wrapped her arms around herself for comfort, inhaling deeply after her long-winded confession. She expected Chichi to move in and tell her that things were alright or to agree that Vegeta was in the wrong but when several moments went by and nothing happened she finally looked up to see that Chichi was just staring at her with a confused expression.

"Um, I'm sorry. Let me ask you something. Are you scared of Vegeta normally, like when you're talking or eating or just sitting around?"

"Ah," Bulma thought about it, "…no, I'm not. I'm not afraid of him at all when we're just in the room together or when I'm explaining my inventions to him so he can prepare to pass them as his own work. Despite his ego and attitude he's actually quite witty and intelligent. In fact, with enough practice and study, I'm sure he could actually be a successful scientist in his own right. But no, it's 'beneath him and not worth wasting his precious time over', the little brat."

"Uh-huh. And you're comfortable being close to him."

"I didn't say that I'm comfortable being close to him, I said that he's comfortable to lie on. I still have to brace myself and make myself lay down, repeating over and over that it's going to be okay."

"And then Vegeta makes it worse by touching you because you're afraid of his touch?"

Bulma tried her best to see where Chichi was going with this line of questioning but couldn't so she decided to just trust he, hoping its point would help her in some way. "Yeah."

"Is his touch anything like thief who attacked you years ago? Is the fear like that?"

"No! It's not like that at all. That was harsh and cruel. I was nothing but an eyewitness to a crime he was committing, a ticket to jail. Had I not slashed out at him and gotten away he would have killed me." She shuddered in fear once again unwillingly seeing the memories again.

"And Vegeta's touch?"

"Vegeta's," Bulma remembered Vegeta's words from before, to only think of him and not of phantom men that wanted to hurt her, "Vegeta's touch is softer, just barely gliding over my skin causing it to tingle and shiver. It's like, I don't know how to explain it, it's like fear but with something else I've never felt before. Like everything's out of control but I don't feel the need to scream for help."

Chichi's chuckle brought Bulma out of her thoughts. "What's so funny?"

"Tell me, do you remember how you felt when you made your first capsule?"

"Of course," Bulma answered easily, still unsure of what the point was, " I'll never forget that day. I was so excited! But… but I was also extremely nervous. Father was always so paranoid and hyper-critical, he kept turning the capsule over and examining every crevice as if there was something hidden that would expose his work or harm him. I don't know how long he examined it but the anticipation was killing me. I just wanted it to be over with but at the same time I wanted to see my work to the end, to see what would happen. When he finally did try my capsule out and complemented me on its success, I was ecstatic! It was like all my hard work and nervousness from his scrutiny was worth it. All that dread, all that anticipation. It was all so thrilling and new."

Bulma stuttered to a stop as she suddenly realized the connection, her face paling as she tried to backpedal from the realization she was coming to. "No no no, Chi. There's nothing in common with my scientific achievements and Vegeta's molestation."

"Oh? But which event, your panic from the thief's attack or the anticipation of seeing your work come to fruition is more like your 'practice' with Vegeta?"

"That was different, that thief would have killed me if he had the chance."

"But you defended yourself and got away before the security bots apprehended him. If Vegeta decides that you're not worth it, deal or not, you wouldn't have a chance."

"So what are you saying? That the overwhelming feelings I'm having when Vegeta touches me are not fear and dread but anticipation? Anticipation for what?"

"Seriously, Bulma? Surely you know what is involved in a romance."

"Yes, I know that people in love will hold hands and stargaze and will 'make love' but what does that have to do with Vegeta and me?"

"Not all romance is about love, Bulma. Spy movies will often have the same male lead but a different female lead for him to get with. It's all about seduction and lust without any element of commitment beyond the movie's realm. It's the same with how you need to portray your relationship with Vegeta: As a prince he should only ever show interest in a slave sexually or as someone beneath him, not as someone he's going to spend his life with as an equal."

"But we're just acting!"

"For everyone else, yes, you're just putting on a play of sorts to convince everyone that you're not the scientist that is being sought after. However that doesn't change the fact that you may actually be attracted to Vegeta personally."

"Vegeta's a jerk though."

"That he is," Chichi chuckled," and as your friend I would highly suggest that you don't fall for him or consider anything involving him in the long term, at least not unless he ever shows that he feels for you in a way other than a tool for his progress. And don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that you should just jump into bed with him. There's nothing wrong with saving yourself for someone you really have deeper feelings than lust for. I'm just saying that you should stop trying to think of your situation as only practice and see if there's actually a sense of attraction there. And even if there's not any real attraction, you may just be anticipating what will happen next since Vegeta's actions aren't something you can predict so easily."

"You," Bulma shook her head, "…you're crazy, Chi. There's no way these feelings have anything to do with attraction. The only thing Vegeta makes me feel is rage when he's a jerk and apprehension when he's forcing me out of my comfort zone."

Chichi chuckled at Bulma's obvious frustration and denial. "We'll see, Bulma. We'll see."

Bulma was brought out of her reminiscence as Vegeta shifted again. Feeling his fingers slide into her hair and start to pull her head down, she placed her hands firmly on his chest locking her arms in an extended position. "I don't see why you want to practice kissing so much." She looked away from his mocking eyes and smirk.

"Well I suppose I could throw you down and take you in front of everyone to show them that we're intimate but I don't you're quite ready for that." Noticing Bulma's turned face blush, Vegeta leaned in close to her ear to add, "But if you want to try I'm sure I could make you twist and moan convincingly enough."

Bulma squeezed her eyes shut, trying to ignore the shivers his warm breath on her ear caused and stopping herself from thinking what he would do to accomplish his offer. 'I don't care. I'm not interested. Stupid Chi, putting dumb ideas in my head. Well if kissing is the best way to portray us as lovers, then so be it. It is only acting after all, no real feelings involved.'

Bulma, having had enough of Vegeta playing things his way, grabbed his face and rough pushed her lips against his. She inwardly patted herself on the back when she heard him let out a surprised grunt but kept on, trying to mimic the gentle bobbing motion he seemed so fond of, focusing solely on the act and not on the feeling.

That plan didn't last too long as not only did Vegeta used his hand in her hair to move her into a more natural pressure which, she had to admit, felt better on her lips. It was like his hands, barely skimming her lips and causing subtle tingles to course through her body. It was… actually pleasant.

Their lips parted and Bulma slowly opened her eyes to see Vegeta looking at her seriously. "Who are you seeing, Woman? Are your thoughts consumed with the past right now?"

"No." Bulma answered honestly, suddenly realizing that she wasn't quaking in fear right now. She wasn't flashing back to the cold rain and cruel hands of the thief that caused her to give up all hope for a normal future. She hadn't thought about the masked man at all. Right now the only one she was concentrating on was the man before her. And for some strange reason, that was okay.

Vegeta smirked as he gently played with her hair, his nails running along the scalp sending more shivers she was not ready to admit were pleasant through her body. "It's like I told you, Woman. If you focus solely on me while we're together then everything will work out just fine. As long as this deal of ours exists the only man you should think about is me," he pulled Bulma's head back down for another kiss.

The kiss Vegeta gave her this time was different than the other ones, Bulma quickly realized as Vegeta skillfully used his tongue to part her lips and coax her tongue to meld with his. She had always been confused when she had seen couples using their tongues to kiss. Wouldn't that be disgusting? But feeling it for herself; it wasn't nearly as bad as she had thought. The act deepened the kiss, their tongues twisting around as if in battle for dominance. She was sure if she had received this kind of kiss while standing her knees would have given out. It was almost consuming enough to make her ignore Vegeta's hand once again groping her backside. 'Well two can play at that game. Come on, Bulma, you can do this. Time to stand up and show him that you can handle this situation and act without over thinking things.'

Sliding her hand down she found the hem of his shirt and worked her hand up under it and up his chest. She could feel Vegeta's lips turn up into smirk so she assumed that her action was acceptable. Remembering how it felt when his nails grazing her scalp she decided to try it for herself. For science, of course. As she moved her hand down his rib cage, she made sure to drag her nails lightly again the warm, taut skin, giving a smirk of her own as she heard him let out a low growl. That was interesting, from an objective standpoint, of course. Not because it made her heartbeat increase. She continued her… examination and in turn Vegeta continued his: One hand in her hair, one groping her backside, and one skimming up her side towards her chest.

'Wait, he can't be touching me in three places at once. What is going...,' Her thoughts were cut short as whatever was touching her slide under her shirt and it definitely wasn't a hand.

"AHHHH!" Bulma shrieked and jumped away from Vegeta, who had let go of her to cover his ears, and fell to the floor.

"Are you trying to give me hearing damage, Woman? What the fuck is wrong with you?"

"Something touched me and it wasn't you," she panicked while hurriedly examining her body to see if whatever had touched her was still attached somewhere. "I don't know what it was, a rat or some kind of space…rat but it was furry and…"

"It was just my tail, you crazy woman!" Vegeta yelled cutting through Bulma's hysterics.

Bulma looked down to see said tail now curling back into its usual place around his waist. "Oh my gosh," she was utterly mortified, embarrassment flooding her whole body. But she couldn't focus on that, she had to recover before Vegeta tried to belittle her for her 'weaknesses' again. "Well, what were you doing with it anyway?! You normally keep it wrapped around your waist so care to explain why it was going under my shirt?"

Vegeta's eyes narrowed but Bulma couldn't miss the nearly insignificant cringe and barely there blush on his cheeks.

"Ha, you couldn't control yourself, could you? You're always trying to act so cool like you've got everything under control but it looks like you got a little too carried away with our practice. Perhaps you should put a little more thought behind your actions than you normally do. But I suppose it's okay since we're that much closer to convincing everyone that there's real chemistry between us. Although I do have to wonder," she said coyly as she quickly moved towards the bathroom, "if there's the possibility that you're covering up some sense of attraction for me underneath this ruse you call a deal." She finished before closing the door before she could see what reaction, though she was sure it was anger, her words had caused in Vegeta.

Leaning against the door, she slid down to the floor as her proud bravado left her. 'How utterly embarrassing', she thought as she recalled what she had just said and implied about Vegeta. The words had come out faster than she could process them, twisting Chichi's analysis around to get one up on Vegeta before he took the chance like he normally did. Just desserts some would call it. Maybe he'd finally understand what it felt like to be teased for once.

She was sure she hated that man, or that was to say, she was sure she should. But little moments like these where he causes her to throw away her past and act without over analyzing things, where she can stand up tall and be the strong willed woman she wanted to be, made her realize that Chichi was right, that she was filled with anticipation of what was going to happen next.

Though she probably should take her time in the shower to let Vegeta's anger cool off a bit lest she prove Chichi's other point of not being able to do anything should he decide to kill her.

A/N: Some more progress on Bulma's part perhaps. She's still inexperienced but luckily her attitude can help her through the troubling parts. Next time, finally landing on Vegetasei!

Thanks for reading, please feel free to review as I'd long to hear your opinions on it.