-PART EIGHT-

 

 

Vegeta stretched across the bed, searching for Bulma's warmth.  He opened his eyes and raised his head.  She wasn't there.  Sitting up, he looked around the dark bedroom for her.  The only light in the room came from the bathroom.  Suddenly he could hear her in there, and it sounded like she was coughing badly.  Concerned, he got up and walked into the bathroom.  He found Bulma sitting on the tiles of the bathroom floor, with her face down in the toilet.

 

"What's wrong, woman?"  Vegeta urgently asked.  She jumped and raised her head.  Her face was sweaty and her eyes looked red.  She brushed the hair back from her face.

 

"Vegeta!" She surprisingly said.  "What are you doing up?"

 

"I woke up and you weren't in bed," He said walking in slowly.  "And I then I heard you in here."  Bulma flushed the toilet, and then put her elbow on the toilet seat, resting her hand on her forehead.

 

"I don't know what's wrong with me," She wearily said.  "Ever since we got back form New York, I haven't be able to keep anything on my stomach."  She tried getting up off the floor, and Vegeta helped her.  She walked over to the sink and pulled out her toothbrush and toothpaste, and began brushing her teeth.  After that she grabbed a washcloth and cleaned her face.  She turned around and Vegeta was just standing there, looking concerned.  "I'll be fine.  It's probably something I ate."  Bulma walked past him and went back into the bedroom.  He followed.

 

"How can you eat something bad several days straight?"  Vegeta said.  "You've been like this for a while now."  Bulma sat down on the bed, surprised to know that he noticed she was getting sick almost everyday.

 

"How did you know that?"

 

"As loud as you retch? I've heard you before, woman."  Bulma laid back across the bed.  She stared at the ceiling.  Her stomach was still turning in knots.

 

"I think I need to go to the doctor.  I think I may have the flu."

 

"Humph," Vegeta laid back across the bed, looking down at her.  "You pathetic weak humans and your illnesses! A Saiyan would never succumb to such weakness!"

 

"Well, I'm not a Saiyan, Vegeta," Bulma said in total exhaustion, giving up on the argument that Vegeta wanted to start.  "So can you please let this 'pathetic weak human' get some rest?"  She turned over with her back to him and curled herself into a ball, hoping this would make the pain in her stomach subside.  Vegeta could sense something strange was happening to her, but he couldn't figure out what or why.  He rolled over on his back and fell asleep.

 

The next day, Vegeta was back in the gravity room training.  He had the monitor up to 265 today.  He was in a deep meditation (something Piccolo-san had taught him on focusing his energy) when he sensed an unfamiliar ki in his presence.  He opened his eyes and he saw Bulma standing at the glass window, tapping.  Totally annoyed by this interruption, he got up and opened the door.

 

"Didn't I ask you not to bother me when I'm here?"  He fussed.

 

"I just wanted to know if you wanted to go with me to see Goku and Chichi's new baby down at the hospital, that's all."  Bulma meekly said, almost sounding hurt by Vegeta's scolding.

 

"Why the hell should I interrupt my training for a brat?  If you've seen one, you've seen them all!"

 

"Fine! Let's see if this gravity room keep your ass warm tonight, because I won't be dammit!"  Bulma hollered, and walked away. 

 

"Humph," Vegeta said slamming the door.  "High strung female."

 

~~~~~~~~~~

 

 

"It was a breeze," Chichi said laying her head back on the pillow.  "I had him in about six hours.  Goku was great."  Chichi held her new bundle in her arms, and his arms stretched about.  Bulma looked down at him lovingly.

 

"He's so cute!"  Bulma exclaimed.  "He looks just like Goku, hair and all!" 

 

"He does, doesn't he?"  Chichi said, taking her finger and brushing it along his chubby cheek.

 

"What's his name?"

 

"We decided on Goten."  Bulma shook her head in approval.  "Do you want to hold him?"

 

"Can I Chichi?"  Bulma said with her face lighting up, extending her arms.  Chichi carefully placed Goten in Bulma's arms, and Bulma's smile widened as she sat down with him.

 

"So..." Chichi started, folding her arms.  "How was New York City?"

 

"The take over went over pretty smoothly."

 

"I'm not talking about that."

 

"It was...intense."  Bulma smiled.  Chichi shook her head.

 

"Have you seen Yamcha?"

 

"Yes...and I told him."  Chichi sat up.

 

"What did he say?"

 

"He said it didn't matter, because he was dating this paralegal secretly anyhow."  Bulma frowned.

 

"That asshole."  Chichi said laying back.

 

"That he is."  Chichi studied Bulma's face. She noticed she looked pale and tired.

 

"All that fun in New York got you bushed?" Chichi asked.

 

"I guess it's from the jetlag.  But I feel fine."

 

"You don't look fine."

 

"Well...since you've asked," Bulma sighed as she stood.  "I haven't been feeling too hot lately."  Chichi looked at her and then at Goten, wondering if she was sick enough to spread it around.  "You don't have to worry, I honestly don't think I could give this to anybody."  She handed Goten back to Chichi.  Chichi's face lit up with this hint.

 

"Are you pregnant?"  She said smiling.

 

"I don't' know yet...but I'm sure I am."  Bulma sat down, sighing.  "Lately, I can't get enough sleep, I get sick all day, and I'm starting to eat really strange foods, like peanut butter and relish sandwiches?"

 

"I've never ate anything that sickening when I was pregnant."  Chichi said making a face.  "How late are you?"

 

"I can't even remember when I had my last period," Bulma said flatly.  "I've got an appointment tomorrow morning." 

 

"Why don't you take one of those home pregnancy tests before you go tomorrow?"  Chichi asked.

 

"I never thought those things work."

 

"I've never used them," Chichi said holding Goten close.  "Goku could sense when I was pregnant."  Bulma looked up at her.

 

"He could sense it?" 

 

"Yeah, somehow he could.  And I would go to the doctor and they would confirm it."

 

"Does this mean that Vegeta can sense it also?"

 

"Well--they are quite different.  The gift is different from Saiyan to Saiyan--I guess."

 

"Yeah," Bulma said looking down at her flat stomach.  "Maybe I'll take the test, just to see what happens."  Bulma stood and walked over to the bed and gave Chichi a peck on her forehead.  "Thanks.  You two take care!"

 

"Bye now!" Chichi said, taking little Goten's hand and waving it.

 

Bulma left the hospital and headed to the nearest drug store to buy the test.  After finally getting home that evening, she crept around the apartment looking for Vegeta.  She looked out the window and saw the light still on to the gravity room.  She dashed for the bathroom, and shut and locked the door.  Opening the package, it had tons of instructions.  'I thought I got the easiest test,' she thought.  After finally administrating the test, she sat the stick on the sink, and sat down on the toilet.  She read the instructions where it said 'RESULTS IN 5 MINUTES.' She stared at the stick.  Her heart was beating so fast.  Five minutes seemed like five thousand years.  She stood and looked at herself in the mirror.  'Could I be having a baby?  My body's way too small for a baby to grow...it could be my nerves, with all that's happened these last couple of months...' she thought to herself.  She started to feel her stomach churn, and she realized she hadn't been sick all day until now.  She looked down at the stick.  There was a distinctive blue line going across the strip in the window.  Bulma nervously looked down at the instructions.  'IF THERE IS A BLUE LINE, CONGRATULATIONS! YOUR'RE PREGNANT!' Bulma felt her heart sink, her stomach drop and she slid down to the floor.  It was worse than being hit by a train.  This news was way too much for her to handle, and she covered her mouth and began to sob heavily. She felt scared, happy and sad all at one time.   She stopped for a second, feeling terrified to the fact that all this time she was carrying another person inside her.  She continued to cry.  'What will he say?  What will he do?  He'll leave me for sure!' Bulma franticly thought.  Suddenly there was a loud pounding at the bathroom door.

 

"Woman! Why did you lock me out of the bathroom?"  Vegeta blasted. Bulma tried to regain her composure in her voice, which was shaking. 

 

"I'll be out in a minute." She said, grabbing up the test and instructions, and putting them away in the bag.  She took the bag and placed it inside the hamper under some clothes, knowing Vegeta wouldn't go in there.  She wiped her face and opened the door.  Vegeta stood there shirtless, and he could tell in an instant that she'd been crying.

 

"What are you upset about now?" Vegeta asked, annoyed with her usual display.

 

"Nothing," She lied.

 

"Are you mad because I wouldn't go with you today?"

 

"No," Bulma said, trying to get past him.  He blocked her path. 

 

"Then you're mad because I yelled at you?"

 

"Vegeta...please let me out of this bathroom."  She looked up at him.  She saw his seductive smirk form on his lips as he stared at her.

 

"I'm though training tonight," Vegeta purred taking his finger and lightly tracing the outline of her breast though her dress.  "And I'm quite hot and sweaty.  Do you want to take a shower with me?" He always knew how to touch her, and she bit her lip from gasping from his touch.  She was quite tempted at the offer, but then she remembered that this is how she got into this predicament in the first place.

 

"I have to work down in the lab tonight." She breathed, barely getting the words out.

 

"Doesn't sound like you want to go down to the lab," Vegeta said walking into the bathroom, making her back in. "You know you can't resist me."

 

"You're so full of shit."  Bulma hissed, resenting his remark.  He lowered his head and bit her on the neck, which made her shiver.  He moved in closer to her, and she backed herself to the wall.  He put one arm around her waist, and the other hand wandered up her dress.  She could feel the moistness of his sweaty body that gave off such inviting warmth that she found so irresistible.  Damn him.

 

"Shower with me," Vegeta whispered in her ear.  "I want you to clean me up."  The words melted on her throat and down to her cleavage. 

 

Before she could resist, Vegeta raised the dress over her head and threw it on the bathroom floor. They both franticly started removing and tearing at her remaining clothing, and Vegeta nearly ripped her bra off in the process.   He pressed himself against her as he kissed her, pulling his pants down at the same time.  Bulma couldn't believe that once again she was bending to his will as they stumbled into the shower...

 

Bulma awoke hours later with her stomach growling.  She realized she really didn't eat too much the day before, only a salad and a sandwich.  Removing Vegeta's heavy arm off her, she threw on her robe and went into the kitchen.  She had a taste for something, but she didn't know exactly what.  Searching the cabinets and pantry, she found nothing she liked.  She searched the fridge, and she found what she was craving for--- rib eye steak.  She unwrapped it and ran it under the water in the sink as she pulled out a skillet to cook it.  But as she looked at the meat, running under the water, she had this irresistible urge to eat it right then and there.  The smell of the steak was driving her mad!   She went into the cupboard and got down a plate, and pulled out a knife and fork.  She put the raw meat on her plate and sat down at the table.   She stared at it for a moment, knowing she shouldn't eat the meat like this, but she had to.  She couldn't possibly stand the smell of it cooking anyhow right now.  She cut off a small piece, and reluctantly forced it into her mouth.  To her surprise, the meat soothed her sour stomach in an instant.  It tasted wonderful!  She began gobbling down chunks of the meat hungrily.  She never noticed Vegeta standing in the doorway of the kitchen. 

 

"What in the hell are you doing?"  Vegeta said disturbingly as he watched her stuff her face with the bloody meat.

 

"Nothing!" Bulma said pushing the plate away, embarrassed.

 

"So I'm dumb as well as blind?"  Vegeta said walking into the kitchen.  Bulma fretted, wondering what excuse she could possibly give him.  He was looking at her like she'd lost her mind.  "Why are you eating raw meat?" 

 

"I was hungry."  Bulma confessed, looking pitiful at Vegeta.  He raised his eyebrows.

 

"Well, is there something wrong with the oven why you're eating it raw?"  She gave no answer.  "What is wrong with you woman?" 

 

"I don't know why I'm eating it this way," Bulma said with her eyes on the table.  "But it's the only thing I can stomach."  She looked up at him.  This reply wasn't enough. 

 

"You want to tell me what's going on?"  Vegeta said in a lowered tone.  She gave no answer.  "So I'm supposed to think that you eating raw meat is normal?"  Vegeta grabbed her by her shoulders and shook her lightly.  "TELL ME WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU WOMAN!"  Bulma looked at him, wide eyed, her lips moving but no sounds.  He stared at her, desperately wanting to know what was wrong. 

 

"I-I...I'm pregnant."  She stammered.  Vegeta gave her a puzzled look. 

 

"What is 'pregnant'?" He asked. 

 

"It' means that I'm having a baby...we're having a baby."  Vegeta's eyes scanned Bulma's body quickly.  He let go of her shoulders.

 

"...B-But you don't look like Kakarott's mate."  Vegeta said slowly, in total confusion. 

 

"No... That's because she was SEVERAL months pregnant, where I am...well I just don't know yet."   There was a moment of silence.  Vegeta was so stunned that he sat down on the floor.  He looked up at her. 

 

"How did this happen?" Vegeta asked.  Bulma rolled her eyes.

 

"We spend majority of our time together in bed, Vegeta.  And if you can't figure that one out buster, then you're on your own!"  They both sat there, quiet.  Both of them afraid of speaking, afraid of what they had to discuss.

 

"How long have you known?" Vegeta asked.

 

"About...five hours."  Bulma said glancing at the wall clock.  "I mean I had my suspicions, but I know now for sure." 

 

"So this is why you're getting sick all the time...and this," He pointed at her plate with the blood-drenched steak. "And all this crying...and why I can't recognize your ki when you're around." 

 

Bulma nodded.  "What do you think?"  Vegeta stood.

 

"What do I think about what, woman?"

 

"About me...being pregnant."  He gave no answer.  He folded his arms at his chest and stared at her.

 

"What about it?  It's inside of you, woman."

 

"Yeah...but you put it there!"  Bulma said, her eyes starting to water and her lower lip quivering. 

 

"Don't start your crying," Vegeta said walking up to her.  "So you're having my brat.  Just have it and take care of it.  Why must you always ask me how I feel about everything?"  Bulma stood, her eyes fuming.

 

"A 'brat'?" She said, her voice now shaking. "'Just have it and take care of it'? It's a baby Vegeta, a BABY, and WE are going to take care of it!"

 

Vegeta sucked his teeth.  "I've heard enough of this nonsense," He turned and walked out of the kitchen, with Bulma following him.  "You don't order me around.  And you're wrong if you think I'm going to take care of some 'thing' inside you!" 

 

"So you're saying you won't help me have this baby?"

 

"Woman, I am a Saiyan Prince.  Raising and caring for brats is beneath me--"

 

"But making them isn't?" Vegeta stopped and looked at her. 

 

"What you're asking me is a woman's job!  A woman's responsibility!"

 

"By who terms? Is that how its done on Planet Vegeta?  Well around here it's not!" Bulma yelled, furious with his sexist comment. "You were responsible enough to sleep with me, and now you're not responsible enough to admit that you've got me pregnant?  You don't feel responsible for it at all?  Like I did this all on my own?" Bulma grabbed his arm lightly, trying to reason with him.  She lowered her voice, calming down.  "I'm not asking you to have it for me, Vegeta.  I'm asking if you're going to be here for me--for us."  For a moment, Vegeta's attitude softened, as it always did when she looked up at him this way.  He stared into her glassy blue eyes staring back at him pitifully.

 

"I'm not going anywhere."  Vegeta said, hoping that his reply would satisfy her for the moment.  He noticed her eyes narrow with her frown.  She started to shake her head.

 

"Of course you won't leave," Bulma said in disgust as she turned and walked away from him, crying.  "You'll stay for the gravity room, but not for me or the baby!  I'm glad you have you 'priorities' in order, you selfish bastard!"  She ran into her bedroom and slammed the door.  Vegeta heard the lock turn, and he realized he was banished to the couch.  He could have easily ripped the door off from its hinges but he decided he had heard enough of the woman crying and carrying on.  He walked up to the bedroom door and listened as Bulma cried and mumbled how she hated him, and it seemed the more she cried, the more the ki inside her increased.  Totally irritated with both of them, Vegeta went out to the gravity room and put on some spare clothes he had down there.  He looked up at the bedroom window--the light was still on.  He flew off, not knowing where-but he would know when he got there. 

 

~~~~~~~~~

 

 

It had been a long week for Goku, between being at the hospital for Chichi, to make sure she and Goten were okay, to watching Gohan (which Chichi gave strict instructions that he should be studying after school), it really worn him out.  After he and Gohan cleaned and prepared the house for Chichi and the baby to come home the next day, Goku laid across his bed, shoes and all, and drifted off to sleep.  Suddenly his eyes opened, feeling a familiar ki nearby.  He sat up to find Vegeta sitting in his windowsill. 

 

"Vegeta?" Goku said yawning.

 

"Is your mate here?"  Vegeta asked.

 

"No… she's still at the hospital.  She had the baby."

 

"Humph," Vegeta said crossing his arms, stepping off the sill into Goku's bedroom.  "Babies."

 

"Ah, it's really good to see you and all Vegeta, but its like one in the morning and I really need to get some rest."  Goku stared at him.  Vegeta seemed to be somewhere else in thought.  "Is there something wrong?"  Vegeta started to pace the floor.  Goku knew then something was worrying him.

 

"That woman…" Vegeta began as his words trailed off.  He looked up at Goku, whose eyes were closing from sleep.  "She claims I got her pregnant."  Goku's eyes snapped wide open and his jaw became unhinged.

 

"Bulma's having a baby?"  Goku squealed.

 

"Why don't you go stand on your roof and shout it out Kakarott!"

 

"Hey Vegeta…" Goku got up and walked over to him. "It's good news."

 

"I'm not too sure about that," Vegeta said leaning against the wall.  "I had no idea this was going to happen."

 

"Didn't you know there was a chance it could happen if you slept with her?"  Vegeta didn't answer.  "How's Bulma taking the news?" 

 

"She's at home crying and calling me a bastard."  Goku folded his arms and sat back down on the bed.

 

"Oh.  So you don't want it."

 

"I never said that," Vegeta quickly retorted.  "Besides, the brat is of my blood; and with the mix of human and Saiyan, he'll probably be stronger than the both of us."  Vegeta paused as he walked over to the window, looking out into the night sky.

 

"But…?" Goku said impatiently waiting for him to continue.

 

"She said I would only stay for the gravity room, and not for her and the brat.  She said that the gravity room is more important to me."

 

"Well…is it?"  Goku asked.  Vegeta said nothing.  Goku quickly remembers the day when he talked to Vegeta's son and the prophecies that came with him.  He remembered how much he resembled Vegeta.  Trunks had his father's passion to fight, and his mother's heart to love.  "Look," Goku sounded stern and frank with his so-called Saiyan friend.  "I don't want to get in the middle of you and Bulma's problems, but this…this is a really big deal here.  We're talking about a life, a life that you both created, and you've got to find out where your heart is in all of it."  Goku stood and walked over to Vegeta, and Vegeta looked at him.  He noticed the seriousness in Goku's face.  'Maybe he's not so dumb after all,' Vegeta thought.

 

"So what's important to you Vegeta?"  Goku asked.  "Your training or Bulma and the baby?"  Vegeta stared at Goku with a blank expression on his face, refusing to answer.  "Look, Bulma and I have been through quite a lot together.  I have known her for many years.  Even though we are close, we always, ALWAYS stayed out of each other's personal business.  That thing with Yamcha?  I knew he wasn't faithful to her.  But she didn't want to hear it, so I left it alone.  She has been through enough and I think I couldn't bear seeing her bring up a child by herself.  I--"

 

"Who said she was bringing the child up alone?" Vegeta interrupted.  Goku's expression of seriousness turned into anger.  He narrowed his eyes. 

 

"I don't know what kind of game you're playing, but if you don't love her, then tell her!" Goku walked away from him, his fits clinched.

 

"How dare you talk to me in that way Kakarott!  And what and the hell do you mean I'm playing games?"

 

"Then why are you here?"  Goku said turning around.  "Why are you standing in my bedroom at this hour? You want me to take pity on you?  To feel sorry for you?  You're in my house dammit, and I can talk to you anyway I please!"  Goku paused, knowing his voice and anger was rising and he didn’t' want to wake Gohan.  Calming himself down, he started to speak again.  "All I'm trying to say is if you love her, you need to tell her.  And if you don't love her…well, she needs to hear that too.  But just get out of her life if you feel she's pressuring you to do something you're not ready to do."

 

"What do you mean with 'love'?"  Vegeta innocently asked.  He had heard Bulma say it to him on several occasions, but he just didn't know what it meant.  Goku looked shocked at first, but then he realized that he wasn't familiar with all of earth's words and meanings. 

 

"It's what I feel for my wife, and my children…its like warmth deep within you, a strong feeling of admiration and affection you have for someone you're really close to."  Goku tilted his head to the side, wondering if he comprehends.  "Do you understand, Vegeta?"  Vegeta hesitated for a moment, and then he looked at Goku. 

 

"I guess so.  Earthlings rely too much on words," Vegeta said as he let his arms fall down to his side. " But what if I'm not ready to say this to her?"

 

"Do you still care for her?  Enough to be there when the baby comes?"

 

Vegeta nodded reluctantly.  "But not to raise the brat!  I don't do that!" 

 

"You'll see Vegeta," Goku said laughing. "When that baby's born, and it looks up at you…you will know what love is all about, all wrapped up in your child.  Having a baby changes your life forever.  I promise you that."

 

"Humph," Vegeta said as he walked to the windowsill, about to leave.  He stepped up, and turned around and stared at Goku. "I suppose I owe you thanks, Kakarott.  I obviously was about to make a grave mistake."

 

"No problem.  But in the future, can you come by during day hours?"  Goku said smiling.  Vegeta gave a smirk, turned and flew off.  Goku sat down on the edge of the bed, amazed at the news. 

 

"Bulma's having a baby."  Goku whispered.  He flopped back on the bed, letting out a sigh.

 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

 

When Vegeta got back to the apartment, he decided to come in through Bulma's patio door, since she locked the bedroom door.  Sliding the patio doors quietly, he crept into the darkness of the room.  He stood there for a moment, to be sure that she was asleep.  He removed his clothes and walked up to the bed.  Bulma was lying there asleep.  He laid down beside her, and she stirred around a bit.  He laid on his side and watched her.  Her face, still streaked with tears, was red and puffy.  He moved closer to her, drawing her close to him.  She tensed up and awoke with this contact.  She stared at him, with those blue eyes that made his heart skip a beat anytime he looked into them. 

 

"I didn't mean to make you cry," Vegeta said, rubbing her cheek.  "I-I just…I'm scared about this.  And I am not afraid of anyone or anything.  I just didn't think that we were capable of creating something…like this."

 

"I'm scared too," Bulma said, snuggling closer to him. "But we can figure it all out…together."  They both embraced.

 

"I must train for what is coming in the next year," Vegeta seemed to proclaim.  "But don't ever presume I only stay here for the gravity room, or that I only think of myself."  She nodded, amazed by what he said.  Does he care?  Bulma thought.

 

"You know, I unlocked the bedroom door hours ago.  Where have you been?" Bulma asked. 

 

"Getting some sense talked into me," Vegeta said embracing her tighter.  "By the least likely of persons."

 

 

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