"Look who it is!" Goku exclaimed when he approached Bulma who sat at her usual table. "I didn't get to say goodbye to you last night. You and Vegeta disappeared." Goku sat next to Bulma, and waved his arms to a woman across the room who was serving drinks. "ChiChi! Can you bring us a couple of shots?" he yelled.

The woman marched up to the table and glared at Bulma before turning to Goku. "Would you like to tell me why you're sitting here with this girl, while I'm doing all the work around here?" ChiChi demanded angrily.

"Uh," Goku paused and glanced at Bulma nervously. "I was..."

"Here's your drinks!" ChiChi interrupted angrily. She slammed them onto the table in front of Goku. She slapped him hard upside the back of the head before stomping away.

"That was ChiChi, my Sheba. We've been dating for a month or so." Goku picked up one of the glasses and handed it to Bulma. "I apologize, she's a real Bearcat."

"I see," Bulma gave an understanding nod. She took the shot glass from Goku and guzzled the contents before slamming the glass on the table. She shuddered at the strong taste of the whiskey. "Is Vegeta around?" she looked around the establishment, but saw no sign of him.

"He's around here somewhere," Goku replied. "Am I not good company or something?" he joked.

"That's not it at all. I was just asking," Bulma smoothed her dress nervously.

"Would you like to dance?" Goku asked. "At least until Vegeta shows up?"

Bulma glanced around again, and still not seeing Vegeta, agreed.

They walked to the dance floor, and began to dance. "This is the niftiest jazz I've ever danced to!" Bulma yelled to Goku.

Her black flapper dress rode up her legs to reveal her thighs, and Goku noticed her bare knees. This girl is a real peach, he thought. I love the way these flappers flaunt their bodies. He grinned, watching her body as they both danced to the sweet jazz sounds.

Suddenly Goku was thumped upside the head. "Ouch!" he grimaced. "What did you do that for?"

Vegeta glared at Goku. "You know why, Kakkarot," he warned. "Why don't you scram for a while."

Goku huffed, and disappeared into the crowd.

"You going to dance with me?" Bulma showed him a hopeful smile.

"No," Vegeta replied.

"Buy me a drink?" she asked raising her eyebrows.

"Yeah," Vegeta replied. He took her by her arm and led her to the table. "I'll be right back."

Bulma nodded and watched him stroll over to the bar area. She looked around to see if any of her friends were there. She didn't see anyone. They must have given up on this place and started going back to our old favorite spot. This place IS sort of a dive compared to the ritzy place that we usually go to on 62^nd street. This place has good scenery though. She realized that she was staring at Vegeta's butt. Blushing, she turned away and looked toward the dance floor again. Goku waved at her. What is WITH that guy? She smiled uneasily, then winced when she saw ChiChi behind him with her hand raised to smack him.

Vegeta sat next to Bulma. "Here," he handed her a drink. "Were you looking for someone?" Vegeta asked, looking into the crowd of dancers.

"I was wondering if my friends were here, that's all. I guess they went back to their usual Juice Joint though," Bulma explained. "All of my friends are from rich families, so they probably think they are too good for this place."

"Is that so?" Vegeta asked defensively.

"Oh, I didn't mean to offend you. I...I was just s...saying..."Bulma stammered.

"Don't worry about it. I don't give a shit what people think anyway," he replied gruffly before lighting a cigarette. "I'm a little surprised to see you here, actually," he smirked. "I guess you don't give a shit what people think either, huh? An upperclass girl like you frequenting a dive like this?" He took a drag from his cigarette.

"Actually, I didn't tell my friends that I've come here the last couple of nights," Bulma explained. "But it's not because I care what they think. I just don't think it's any of their beeswax."

Bulma and Vegeta sat and talked for several hours. When the place started to empty out, Bulma stood up. "I'd better get going. I don't want to get caught sneaking back into my house. I don't feel like fighting with my father tonight," she sighed.

"Come on, I'll walk you home," Vegeta stood up.

Vegeta and Bulma walked toward the Briefs mansion once again. Bulma noticed that people in the neighborhood seemed to move out of Vegeta's way as if they were frightened of him. She glanced at Vegeta. He didn't look THAT intimidating.

"What?" he asked defensively. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"I was just wondering why everybody seems as though they are frightened of you, that's all. I don't think you look mean at all," Bulma explained.

Vegeta chuckled. "You don't think I look mean?" He stopped walking and beckoned a man walking by, "Hey you!" When the man looked at him, he glared at the man. "You got a beef with me, ASSHOLE?" he snarled. Vegeta turned and smiled at Bulma, "Does that help?"

Bulma blushed with embarrassment. "He's sorry," she yelled to the frightened man who was now scurrying away. She looked at Vegeta. "That was rude," she tried to sound angry, but couldn't suppress a giggle. "You're screwy," she smiled. They continued their leisurely stroll. "Are you going to walk me home every night?" she asked Vegeta when they finally reached her house.

"I don't know. Do you want me to?" he looked away nervously.

"I feel safe around you, Vegeta," she answered. "I like you walking me home."

There was an awkward silence. Finally, Bulma spoke, "I guess I'd better get in the house. Don't want to get caught by my father," she mumbled.

"Will I see you soon?" he asked.

"I hope so," Bulma replied. "Thank you for walking me home." Bulma stepped forward and hugged him.

Vegeta wrapped his arms around her slender body, pulling her close to him. He closed his eyes as he rocked back and forth with her. She smells so good. He loosened his grip and gazed at her face. "I better get going," he whispered. "See you tomorrow?" he asked.

"Yes, I promise I'll be there tomorrow," Bulma replied. She ran up the driveway to her house.

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The next night when Bulma arrived at the speakeasy, Vegeta was already waiting at the table. "You're late," he announced.

"Sorry. I accidentally fell asleep," Bulma replied. She sat at the table next to Vegeta.

"Your friends are here tonight," Vegeta informed her gruffly. He pointed at the dance floor. "They've been asking about you," he stood up and walked toward Bulma's friends, motioning them to come over to the table. "I have something to do, I'll be back when I'm done," Vegeta told Bulma before leaving her to her friends.

"Where have you been?" Bulma's friend Launch asked. I've been trying to get a hold of you for days! I've been waiting for you to show up at our usual juice joint on 62<sup>nd</sup>, but you never came. Why are you still coming to this dive?"

"To see that fella from the other night," Bulma explained.

"The jerk that stood you up?" Launch asked sarcastically.

"He didn't stand me up! Something came up, that's all!" Bulma snapped

"Yeah, right," one of her other friends piped in. "Men. They always have a story, right?"

"I don't think you should come here anymore," Launch warned. "I've been hearing stories about the men and establishments down here being involved in some serious criminal activities. And I'm not talking about Bootlegging."

"We're criminals too, just by being here, drinking moonshine," Bulma replied. "So who are we to judge?"

"True, but I'm talking about SERIOUS crimes like gang related violence, murder, and other crimes. Didn't you know that this neighborhood is owned by the Cosa Nostra? You know...the Mafia?" Launch asked.

"So what," Bulma replied defiantly. "I'm just down here to drink and dance, nothing more. You girls need to stop being such flat tires. Quit worrying, I'll be fine. Besides, Vegeta will protect me."

"So now you're on a first name basis with that fella?" Launch asked with disgust. "He's one of the reasons we're so worried about you hanging around down here, Bulma. You don't even know what kind of a person this fella is. He could be with the Mafia for all you know!"

"Don't be such high hats!" Bulma snapped. "You don't need to worry about me. I'll be fine. The other night I believe it was YOU who called him 'tasty', right?"

"He is handsome, but that's not the beef I have," Launch replied. She sighed and shook her head. "We refuse to be a part of this. When you're ready to spend time with your friends again, you know where to find us. But I think you're making a big mistake. That guy is a hood. Handsome or not, he's still scum, we know it, and so do you!" With that said, Bulma's friends left the establishment.

After a few minutes, Vegeta returned to the table and sat next to Bulma. "What did they want?" he asked suspiciously.

"Oh, they were just warning me to stay away from this horrible Mafia-ridden neighborhood and the trash that lives in it," Bulma mocked her friends voice. "As if you are involved with the Mafia." She rolled her eyes.

Vegeta shifted uneasily. He got up from the table. "I'll get you a drink." He walked to the bar and brought back a shot of whiskey for Bulma and one for himself.

"Did I say something that bothered you?" Bulma asked, concerned.

"No," Vegeta replied. "It's just that sometimes things aren't always so black and white." He gulped down his drink. "I'll walk you home now."

"Okay, Vegeta." Bulma swallowed her drink and stood up. "Let's ankle," she smiled.

On the way to her house, Bulma sensed that something was bothering Vegeta. She waited for him to say something, but he never did. When they arrived at her house, Bulma turned to him and smiled. "I'll see you tomorrow, Vegeta."

"You will?" he sounded surprised.

"Sure. I don't care what my friends say. I know that you'll protect me from the 'bad guys'." Bulma pushed him teasingly.

Vegeta grabbed her arm and pulled her to him. He leaned forward and brushed his lips softly against hers.

Bulma's heart pounded as he suddenly tightened his arms around her and pulled her body firmly to his. She gave in to his demanding kiss as his mouth slanted over her own, his tongue tenderly exploring her mouth. Bulma felt Vegeta's heart beating against her chest. Her body shivered with excitement as his hands roamed her body, before resting on her rear. She gasped into his mouth as he pulled her hips against his own.

Vegeta slowly pulled away. "I'd better go," he whispered hoarsely. "I'll see you soon?" he asked.

"Yes. I'll see you tomorrow!" Bulma called out happily. She ran into the darkness of her front yard. Her body pulsed with excitement, and she felt so wonderful, she could sing. In the darkness of her front yard, she spun around in circles. She giggled as she collapsed with dizziness.

As the weeks passed, she slipped out almost every night to see Vegeta. Each night he walked her home and they shared a passionate moment. Bulma knew that she was falling in love with Vegeta. Now, she would have to figure out a way to tell her father that she'd met someone.

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