"Come on Bulma! Don't be shy, dance with us!" Bulma's friends called to her from the dance floor of the speakeasy.

"I'm not being shy. I don't feel like dancing right now. Besides, I don't want to get all sweaty," Bulma hollered above the loud music. She opened her compact, and looked at the mirror inside while she powdered her face and smoothed her bobbed aquamarine hair.

"Fine, have it your way!" her friends called back to her.

Bulma watched everyone engaged in all of the popular dances. She was particularly fond of the Charleston, but tonight she wasn't in the mood to dance. A yell from behind her caught her attention and she turned around to see what was happening. Her heart jumped when she saw a gorgeous, well-dressed man holding another man by his collar. The good-looking man appeared to be threatening the other man who was obviously drunk. Bulma felt a shiver travel down her spine watching the malicious twinkle in the handsome man's eyes. When he suddenly looked at her, she turned away to watch her friends again.

Bulma sighed, watching them have a great time. They were real floorflushers, attending dances almost every night, sometimes even staying out until dawn. A hand gently landed on Bulma's bare shoulder, causing her to jump with surprise. She looked up to see the handsome man from before. His dark eyes intently locked with hers. Bulma felt frightened of his sinister expression. She quickly looked down to the floor. To her surprise, he kneeled down so that he was face to face with her. The corners of his mouth curled slightly to reveal the cutest smile she'd ever seen. "So you DO smile," she joked, trying to make conversation.

His smile widened, but he quickly suppressed it. "I've never seen you here before," he said. "Are you new in town?"

"No," she replied. "But this is my first time at this place."

"I thought so," he answered. "I would remember you. What's your name?"

"Bulma, what's yours?" she answered.

"Vegeta," he replied. "So...don't you like to dance?"

"Are you asking me to dance?" Bulma smiled.

"I...uh...err..." Shit! I can't dance! Think Vegeta! How can I get out of this?

Bulma took his hand and led him to the dance floor. Before they got there, a man approached Vegeta.

"I need to talk to you," the man grabbed his shoulder.

"Not now, Kakkarot! Can't you see I'm busy?" Vegeta snapped.

"This can't wait," the man answered. "It's an important business matter."

Vegeta sighed and turned to Bulma, "I need to take care of something. Don't leave, I'll be back as soon as I can." His gaze traveled down the black dress that hugged her slender body, and her shapely legs with her stockings rolled at the knees. He turned to the man and angrily added, "This BETTER be important, Kakkarot!"

Bulma smiled nervously as she watched the two men disappear into the crowd. She walked back to her table and sat down.

Launch, a long time friend, stopped dancing and approached her. "Who was that fella you were talking to?" she asked. "He looked tasty!" She sat down.

"Yeah," Bulma replied. "I like his wild, spiky black hair."

They watched their friends dance and have fun while Bulma waited for Vegeta's return. As the night wore on, he still hadn't come back. Finally, after the speakeasy had emptied, Bulma's friends convinced her to leave with them. Sadly, Bulma agreed, and they all left.

"The guy's a real jerk, anyway. He's probably some sort of cake-eater, trying to get with all the women. You don't need that, Bulma," Launch exclaimed. "Stupid Drugstore Cowboys! I can't stand men who's only goal in life is to pick up on women!" she huffed.

"I guess you're right," Bulma sighed. He was so handsome though. He looked like such a bad boy too, not like the bluenoses that I usually date.

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The next day, Bulma couldn't get Vegeta off her mind. She tried to distract herself with a shopping trip to buy new clothes, but that didn't help. That night, she decided to go back to the speakeasy without her friends.

She sat at the same table as the night before. She pulled out her compact and looked in the little mirror. She applied her lipstick.

"Hello," a voice startled her.

Bulma looked up to see the man that Vegeta had left with the night before. She smiled politely. "Kakkarot? That was your name, right" she asked.

"Yes, but you can call me Goku. Only Vegeta calls me Kakkarot. He knows I hate it," the man laughed and sat down at the table next to her.

"Sorry, I didn't know," she replied. "Is Vegeta here tonight?"

"He'll be here later," Goku answered. "What's a ritzy dame like you doing in a joint like this?" he asked.

"I like to dance," Bulma replied nonchalantly. "I like to have a drink once in a while too."

Goku stood up. "I'll get you a drink, I'll be right back." He walked toward the bar area. "Don't go anywhere!" he yelled over the music.

Bulma nodded at him. Great! What's with this guy? If Vegeta doesn't get here soon, I'm leaving. I don't need any static from this Goku fella.

Goku promptly returned with a couple of whiskeys and sat down beside her again. "What's your last name, Bulma?" he asked.

"Briefs," she replied before gulping down the shot of whiskey.

"You're related to the Briefs?" he asked, shocked. "Wow! You must be Mayor Briefs' daughter! Your family has a lot of dough! The Briefs are the richest family in this city!" he exclaimed.

"Yeah, so what," she retorted. "Money isn't everything you know."

"I guess not," he mumbled before downing his own whiskey.

"Kakkarot!" a voice bellowed.

Bulma looked up to see Vegeta. He was wearing a black suit that covered a bright white shirt. His suit accentuated his dark eyes and black hair. Bulma grinned shyly when Vegeta looked her over.

"I thought you had something to do tonight, Kakkarot!" Vegeta glared at Goku.

"Uh, yeah. Thanks for reminding me," Goku jumped to his feet. "Nice chatting with you, Bulma," he blurted before he fled.

Vegeta sat next to Bulma. "Sorry about last night. Urgent business came up," he explained.

"I just figured you to be a Drugstore Cowboy," Bulma chuckled.

"A what? I am NOT a Drugstore Cowboy! I never pick up on women!" Vegeta growled defensively.

Bulma giggled. "Sheesh. What's eating you? I was only joking." Maybe he needs to get out of here and unwind. "Let's go for a walk," Bulma suggested. "It's a beautiful night."

"I guess so," Vegeta replied. They stood up and walked out onto the street. "I don't think you ever told me your last name," Vegeta said as they strolled along.

"Goku just asked me the same thing a while ago. I'm not sure I want to tell you, after the way he reacted." Bulma frowned at Vegeta.

"Kakkarot is an odd bird. Not the sharpest knife in the drawer, if you know what I mean," Vegeta chuckled.

Bulma laughed. "My last name is Briefs." She watched for Vegeta's reaction.

"Are you Mr. Briefs' daughter?" Vegeta asked.

"It seems everyone knows my family," Bulma sighed. "I am his only daughter."

Vegeta nodded with understanding. "I also know the drawbacks of being from a prominent family. My father was a very influential man."

"Really?" Bulma asked, intrigued. "From around these parts?"

"No," Vegeta replied. "I am not from this country originally."

"Where is your father now?" Bulma asked.

"He was assassinated," Vegeta replied coldly.

"I'm so sorry, I had no idea," Bulma apologized. She reached out and took his hand as they continued to walk down the street. She felt sorry for him losing his father like that and gave his hand an apologetic squeeze, before trying to pull her hand away. Vegeta tightened his grip on her hand however, holding it gently in his own for a moment before letting go.

"Do you live near here?" Vegeta asked. "I'll walk you home."

"My house is still a ways from here," Bulma replied. Her heart still raced from the way his strong hand had curled around hers for that few seconds.

"No matter. I'll walk you," Vegeta answered.

They walked in silence, taking in the scenery of city lights and sounds. Bulma looked dreamily up to the sky. The stars twinkled brightly, despite the city lights. Vegeta watched her from the corner of his eye, and smiled.

When they arrived in front of the Briefs mansion, Bulma turned to Vegeta. "Here's my house," she said, slightly embarrassed of the gaudy mansion. "Thank you for walking me home. I really appreciate it. It was nice to have such a strong, handsome escort," she giggled. "I'll come visit you again sometime." She stared at the ground and shifted her feet nervously.

"Come back tomorrow night," he demanded abruptly. "I mean...if you want to," he added, trying to soften his tone.

"We'll see. It's hard for me to get out some nights. My father, being the mayor, wouldn't exactly approve of his only daughter sneaking out at night to get drunk in a shady speakeasy. He'd kill me if he ever found out," Bulma replied. She smiled and blew him a kiss before skipping up the driveway.

Vegeta watched her scale the trellis up to her bedroom. She is the most beautiful woman I've ever seen.

A/N: I got my slang from this site: http://home.earthlink.net/~dlarkins/slang-pg.htm