"Dang it!" Bulma yelled as she smashed her fingers once again in the small robot she was trying to work on. She sucked on her bleeding finger as she went to the bathroom to get a Band-Aid. On the way there, she tripped and fell, bumping her elbow on the hard paneled floor. She began to curse words that are not fit to say in public, finally calming enough to rest her head against the wall, sighing heavily while holding her injuries.

Oi, Bulma. You are way too stressed. You really have got to take a break. She exhaled loudly.

"There is no way that things can get any worse," Bulma mumbled under her breath as she dragged herself back to her feet. Then, below, she heard a huge crash and a thump.

"Woman!" she heard a familiar voice call. "That dang machine of yours broke again!" Bulma sighed in exasperation. The last person she wanted to see was that sweaty little wish troll. She heard the sound of his footsteps stomping up the stairs and turned to run.

She was stopped when she felt a hand on her shoulder jerk her around to face a very angry Saiyen. She scowled at him and yanked away from him.

"What do you want, Vegeta?" She all but snapped in his direction. His frown deepened and he crossed his arms over his bare chest.

"Didn’t you hear me, woman? I said the stupid machine is broken…." Bulma silenced him with a wave of her hand.

"Yea, Vegeta, I know. But I don’t have time for it right now." Bulma would have laughed at his shocked expression if she hadn’t felt so angry with the world.

"WHAT?!?! I am the Prince of the Saiyans! You must do as I say! Go fix the Gravity Room, baka! Or I’ll make you regret it!"

Bulma snorted and put her hands on her hips, feeling very devil-may-care and cruel at the moment.

"And what would you do, Vegeta? I don’t think you’d actually do anything! I think you’re bluffing, oh Great Monkey Prince." She bowed mockingly, voice dripping with sarcasm. Bulma realized she might have gone too far as Vegeta’s face clouded furiously in anger. Before she could blink, he was right in front of her, his hand glowing an unnatural blue.

"Remember, baka, I can kill you with a flick of my wrist," He whispered menacingly, his eyes narrowed as he moved so close to her that she could feel his breath on her face and the heat radiating from the ki gathered in his palm. But, oddly, Bulma was unafraid and daring, perhaps from her frustration or something else, Bulma grabbed the wrist of his hand that held his ki and pulled him towards her.

She felt him stiffen as she pushed herself against his hard, beautiful body, her hand snaking around to pull his face close to hers. Bulma smirked as she noticed his breath going uneven and how the ki disappeared from his hand.

"I don’t think you will hurt me, Vegeta!" She bit his earlobe, whispering seductively into it, "I don’t think you can even let me be hurt…" She trailed off as a sudden twisting filled her arms and Bulma discovered he wasn’t there anymore. She blinked as she saw him standing next to the window, eyes wild and confused.

"What do you think you were doing, woman?" he rasped in an uneven snarl. "Don’t ever touch me like that again." And with that, he was gone in a trail of blue.

Bulma sat down on the ground, blinking. Now why in Kami’s name had she done that! She didn’t even like that good-for-nothing-stuck-up-pain-of-a-jerk! She didn’t know what had possessed her to act like that. She shook her head, forgetting about her minor injuries as she headed straight back to the lab.

Bulma began to work on one of her more intense projects as her mind ran furiously through the past events. I don’t like him! Well, maybe just as a "friend," if she could call him that. He was a stuck up, snobby, royal little ugly….

Okay, Bulma amended, she couldn’t go as far as to call him ugly. In fact, if you x-ed his attitude, he had a body any girl would dream of. She wouldn’t mind having him all for herself. Bulma giggled at that thought, some of her past anger leaving her as she thought of Vegeta being in Yamcha’s place, kissing her.

Bulma cut off her thoughts abruptly, trembling from the experience. She could almost swear that she could still feel his hands on her. Bulma brought one hand up to her lips, shuddering. She had never felt an emotion that strong, not even with Yamcha, whom she thought she loved.

Now this was scary. She couldn’t be attracted to him. Well, actually it was hard not to be attracted to his looks, but his attitude definitely canceled that. And besides, he was the least loveable person she knew. He didn’t care for anyone but himself….

Okay, that wasn’t true. Bulma thought to the conversation she’d had with Gohan about the fight on Namek. It turned out that Vegeta had saved his life multiple times for no reason from Freeza. Someone who didn’t care wouldn’t go to the trouble of protecting and fighting and even dying for her friends.

And one couldn’t help but wonder what his past had been like. Bulma remembered a few moments when she would catch him with his guard down. He looked so sad. So lost and alone that she had wanted to give comfort. But then he would slide back into his normal, jerk-ish self and be demanding her to feed him or something and Bulma would forget ever feeling for him as they began to argue once again.

Bulma sighed, setting down the tool she was using. She couldn’t concentrate if she didn’t stop thinking about him. I know! I’ll call Yamcha! He always has a way of cheering me up!

Bulma immediately got up and dialed his number in her videophone. The screen blinked to life as he answered.

"Hello?" He asked and then noticed Bulma. A grin broke out over his features. "Hi honey! Whatcha need?" Bulma smiled back.

"Hi Yamcha! I was wondering if you wanted to do something right now." She trailed off as his face fell.

"I’m sorry, sugar, but I can’t. I have a baseball game today." He shrugged helplessly. Bulma frowned.

"You know, Yamcha. You never seem to have time for me anymore. The last time we did something was to go out to a concert, which I had to pay for. How come you never want to do anything with me anymore?" Tears began to well up in Bulma’s eyes as she yelled at him. Yamcha stared at her in shock.

"Bulma-chan! You know I’ve just been really busy lately! It has nothing to do with me not wanting to be with you!" Bulma sniffled and looked him in the eyes.

"You promise to do something with me tomorrow, then?" Yamcha smiled warmly at her.

"I promise…" Then they hung up.

Bulma sat there for a long time staring at the phone. Something about his attitude bugged her, besides the fact that he never was there for her anymore, he didn’t seem to care about her feelings at all.

Bulma got up, knowing that she needed something to clear her mind, and decided to go and fix the Gravity Room. Besides, she thought. Vegeta won’t leave me alone until I do. With another heavy sigh, Bulma trudged her way out of Capsule Corps to fix the hostile little Saiyan’s domain.

She grumbled under her breath, stalking over to the round chamber in front of her house. But, for some odd reason, Bulma was compelled to look into the windows of the Gravity Room instead of barging in. She peeked in.

Bulma immediately saw Vegeta doing some finger pushups, but it took her a few moments to notice what was wrong. His back. She had never really studied him that closely before since usually when they were in the same room they were too busy arguing to concentrate on anything else. She was appalled at what she saw. Scars crisscrossed over his muscles showing the side affects of a savage beating from someone. She saw the large remains of gashes over his chest and shoulders from some kind of abuse.

Bulma gasped in horror. Who would be so cruel as to inflict wounds like that on anyone? She felt that even Vegeta didn’t deserve anything like that. Bulma backed away from the gravity room in complete shock. This was something she definitely hadn’t expected to see when she had come out.

An overwhelming sense of pity rushed over her. She had known that Vegeta must have had a hard life, but she had never imagined that it could have been so brutal. Bulma knew that her curiosity about him would never be sated until she found out.

Earth to Bulma! Snap out of it! You came out here to work on the Gravity Room, remember? Bulma shook her head, clearing it of the sudden strange caring she was feeling towards the arrogant Saiyen.

Bulma put on a cheerful façade to try and hide her feelings as she opened the Gravity Room door.

"Hi, Vegeta!" She chirped happily, "I’ve come to fix the Gravity Room for you!" He stopped his exorcises and peered at her suspiciously.

"Okay, woman, what do you want?" He snapped, getting up from his sit-ups. Bulma blinked.

"Um, I don’t want anything, Vegeta." She smiled and put her hands on her hips, "Besides, what could you give me?" She meant it as a joke but immediately regretted it as something akin to hurt flashed through Vegeta’s eyes.

"Humph," He snorted, trying to cover up the momentary break in his mask, "Fine. I’ll leave you to your work…" He began to stalk out of the Gravity Room but Bulma stopped him with a gentle hand.

"No, Vegeta," She begged, "I’m sorry. You can stay and work out over in the corner while I fix it. That way if I need help you’ll be there." Vegeta looked down at her hand on his arm skeptically.

"Are you in another one of those weird moods, woman?" He asked testily. Bulma looked at him blankly. He sighed in exasperation. "The last time I got near you, you went all… strange…" He trailed off as Bulma began to laugh, backing away from him.

"Oh, Vegeta! Don’t tell me that I scared you!" Her laughter became even harder as she saw a flash of red on his cheekbones as he looked down at his feet.

"Shut up, baka! It’s not like I knew what you were doing! What was I supposed to feel?" He yelled vehemently. Bulma quieted down, puzzled at his response.

"What do you mean, Vegeta? Haven’t you ever been touched?" She asked as she knelt down to begin work on the Gravitron. Vegeta’s scowl deepened as he turned away from her. But strangely, he answered.

"No, baka, of course I’ve been touched… it’s just that…." Vegeta trailed off, looking uncomfortable. Bulma paused in her work and looked up and him.

"It’s just that…." She encouraged him, prodding him on. The next few words Bulma had to strain to hear.

"It’s just that all the touching I’ve experienced only hurt…." He mumbled. Bulma inhaled sharply, pity and compassion for the Saiyen in front of her coming back ten fold.

"I’m so sorry, Vegeta." She whispered. "Who brought you pain?" She asked abruptly afterwards. Vegeta’s head jerked up to glare at her.

"Nothing, woman!" He snapped sharply. Bulma looked at him, hurt. He sighed and walked over to a corner to grab his shirt. Bulma finished repairing the Gravitron and got up.

"Vegeta, maybe talking about it will help you…." She was cut off by a furious glare from the Prince.

"No," he snarled harshly, "I don’t need your dang psychotherapy! Just leave me alone!" Bulma bit back a sad sigh, worrying about Vegeta. He’d never shown this much emotion at one time to her. They had actually had a conversation without an argument.

Well, at least she hadn’t argued. He seemed to want to take back all he’d said, which wasn’t much, but still. And Bulma couldn’t help but wonder why he’d said what he had.

"Ah well, Vegeta, I’ve fixed the Gravitron. Try not to brake it too soon!" Bulma headed out the door as Vegeta silently glowered at her back. But before she left, she turned around. "And also, before I forget. Can you come in for dinner this time instead of me bringing it out here? I’m ordering out and I really don’t feel like carrying all that food here today." She looked at him and found his expression disdainful.

"Woman!" he barked, "You have no right to order me around!" Bulma rolled her eyes.

"Is that a yes or a no!" She snapped back. When he didn’t respond right away, Bulma peered at him more intently. His expression had changed from defiant to being reluctant.

"Fine, woman! Now leave me!" Bulma smiled brilliantly at him. He blinked at her in return.

"Okay! Great! See you later, Vegeta!" She called as she left. Bulma found herself skipping back into Capsule Corps. His agreeing to her wishes had made her, for some odd reason, a very happy person. Smiling widely, Bulma picked up the phone to order the food.

Bulma sat at the table about two hours after she had talked to Vegeta in the Gravity Room. She sighed, tapping her fingers impatiently, waiting for the Saiyen to make his entrance.

After waiting for another ten minutes, Bulma’s patience snapped. That dang monkey! If he thinks he can stand me up! He’s got another thing coming to him! With that, Bulma stalked from the kitchen in an awful temper. She stalked straight up to the Gravity Room and stormed in.

"Vegeta, I swear if you don’t have a good excuse for not coming, I’m going to…." Bulma trailed off on horror when she saw him. He turned slowly to face her, panting heavily as he leaned on the wall for support. Blood poured down his side in torrents from a ghastly burn.

"You…you’re going to…. What… woman?" he managed out between clenched teeth. Bulma ran to his side as he began to collapse.

"Vegeta," she said in horror, "What did you do to yourself?" He winced as she helped him up. He tried feebly to push her from him.

"Dang it, woman!" He growled, "I’ll… live!" Bulma scowled at that and backed away. With her support gone, Vegeta dropped to his knees, clutching his side in agony as the blood continued to trickle through his fingers.

"Well? You darn well better tell me what happened before I help you." She waited impatiently for him to reply.

"Baka…" he hissed, "I don’t need your help…." That was all he managed out before he fell forward at her feet. Bulma gaped in shock as he coughed up some blood, struggling to rise. Bulma kneeled next to his prone form.

"Vegeta, please tell me what happened." She asked in a gentle tone. His eyes opened briefly before he nodded.

"Fine, you…. you said you didn’t want the dang machine destroyed so soon after…" he coughed again while Bulma watched him, concerned. "After you repaired it." He finished in a soft whisper. "So… when a blast strayed…. I took it but couldn’t block myself in time…" He broke of as his face twisted in pain.

"Come on, Vegeta! Let me help you…." She was cut off by a furious look from Vegeta.

"Dang it, woman!" He snarled, struggling to get to his feet, "Leave me be! I am Saiyen! And a Prince at that! I don’t need your help!" But as soon as he said that, a loud gasp of pain forced its way from his mouth as he pitched forward.

Bulma screamed and managed to catch his falling form before he hit the floor.

"Vegeta!" She shrieked as his face contorted. He didn’t look good at all. As she helped him up, she took in his pale features and the sweat that was pouring down his brow from the obvious pain he was in. She wrapped her arms around his slim waist, dragging/staggering with him to the door.

"No…." he whispered softly in anger, "I….don’t ….need…your…..help!" Bulma sighed, tempted to drop him again.

"Vegeta, shut up!" she advised him as he began to lean on her more unconsciously. "You and your dang pride…" She was cut off as Vegeta suddenly flung her to the floor, landing on her.

"What the….?" She yelped, "Vegeta! I know I’m beautiful! But no need to be so aggressive!" The look Vegeta gave her told her immediately that she was pressing her limits.

"Shut up yourself, you dang baka! I just saved your measly life!" He snapped before a grimace passed over his features. Bulma blinked at him, looking around. She gasped when she saw a piece of the Gravitron had blown off and speared the exact place she had been standing before.

"Oh, shit!" she heard Vegeta shout as the whole Gravitron began to rumble.

"What?!?! What’s going on!" Bulma screamed at him. Vegeta looked down at her and smiled grimly.

"I overloaded the Gravitron. It’s going to blow…." Those were the last words he got out before a high pitched squeal of twisting mettle sounded and a bright light invaded the room. Bulma clutched Vegeta tighter in panic, feeling his muscles clench and the blood trickle down her arm, reminding her that he was still very hurt.

"Hang on," he snarled as he wrapped himself tighter around her, guarding her body with his own. The squeal reached an unbearable level, sending tremors through Vegeta’s body. Bulma vaguely realized at how much it must hurt his sensitive ears… but she never got to finish the thought. Pain seared through her every nerve and she felt Vegeta’s body writhe above her. Then all she saw was black.

* * * * *