Bulma was just finishing up with the dinner dishes, which were considerable with two saiyans in the complex, when a knock on the door got her attention. "Coming!" she cried, letting out a small breath. She moved to the door quickly, but not so that she didn't run straight into the well-muscled chest of Vegeta. She knew immediately by his expression that he was not pleased, and she caught herself returning the scowl. "Oh no, don't tell me you broke..."

Vegeta cut her off with short wave of his hand. "Be quiet, woman! I haven't broken anything... yet," he added with a slight mischievous smile. There was another knock, and his grimace returned. "Explain yourself! What are they doing here?"

As if on cue, Gohan called out. "Bulma? Is this a bad time?"

"No, of course not," Bulma answered before Vegeta could say anything. She threw a steely gaze to him. "I told you yesterday that they were coming so Goten could train with Trunks for a while."

"And why do you think I would be listening to your constant rambling, woman?"

"Behave, Vegeta, or you can make your own meals for the rest of the week!"

"Like hell I will," he said menacingly, leaving Bulma to guess which condition he was not agreeing to, but with one more look, he let out a low growl and leaned against the wall, arms crossed. It was the closest thing she was going to get to a concession.

Bulma opened the door and smiled warmly at the group at the door. Gohan smiled nervously, already feeling the disgust from the man behind her. "Uh... hey Bulma." He stepped inside, and was thrown another foot forward as Goten rushed past, heading straight for Trunks' room.

The scene brought on a small chuckle from Vegeta. "So, already so weak that your little brother can push you around. Pathetic," he spat out at Gohan.

Bulma was about to say something to Vegeta when she noticed the third person waiting tentatively beside Gohan. "Hey, aren't you Mr. Satan’s daughter?" she asked quickly, immediately recognizing the girl.

"Oh yeah!" Gohan cried. "I'm sorry, Bulma, this is Videl. Videl, this is Bulma. She's one of my dad's oldest friends."

Videl extended her hand and smiled. "Nice to meet you."

"Come on in!" Bulma cried, taking Videl's hand and pulling her past both Gohan and Vegeta. "So... you're the girl Gohan has been spending so much time with!"

Both Videl and Gohan's cheeks pinked considerably, but Videl allowed Bulma to pull her into the next room where they immediately began chattering. Gohan glanced nervously at Vegeta, being far from comfortable with being left alone with the irritable saiyan. To his surprise, Vegeta had lowered his arms and was sizing the young man up.
"Humph," he grunted after a moment. "I suppose if you have to find a mate among such a weakling race as these, at least you have the good sense to take one who is a warrior at heart... even if the baka female is related to that windbag Hercule."

Gohan blanched a minute. "Uh... thanks, I think... but Videl isn't my mate... I mean..."

"Shut up!" Vegeta commanded, silencing Gohan immediately. "Your stuttering is almost as annoying as the idle talk of the women. Perhaps a round of sparring with a kick in the teeth will fix that problem." Before Gohan could respond, Vegeta had already began stalking towards his training room. When Gohan didn't move, Vegeta called over his shoulder impatiently. "Oh, perhaps the son of Kakarotto would rather talk about his hair and nails with the onna?”

"Let's do it," Gohan replied, the reference to his father doing the trick. He moved with ease to just behind Vegeta and into the enclosed room.

Several hours and more than one giggle-fest later, Videl looked at her watch. Just as she did, the ground shook, and her large blue eyes widened. "What was that?"

Bulma, unfazed, smile. "Oh, my guess would be that Vegeta talked Gohan into sparring with him." As confirmation, Bulma pointed to the windows of the training room. Videl immediately saw what looked like a light show followed by another quaking boom. "Those boys and fighting... it's like breathing for them."

"They call that sparring?" Videl took another look, still shaken by the pure power being released within the walls of that room.

An hour and several more loud shakes later, both Gohan and Vegeta emerged. Videl couldn't believe it. Each was toweling off thick sheens of sweat from their bodies, and each was now brandishing several cut and bruises.... and the biggest smiles she had ever seen. Or in Vegeta's case, a relaxed smirk.

"So, did you boys have fun?" Bulma asked cheerfully.

Gohan beamed. "Yeah!" He smiled brightly, but scowled slightly as his stomach rumbled angrily. "Using all that energy sure does take it out of you..."

"What are you waiting for, woman?" Vegeta's voice cut in. "Fix me something to eat!"

Videl's eyes widened at the commanding tone, but she saw Bulma wink at her. "All right boys, one double-saiyan meal coming up!" She led Videl to the kitchen, and together they cooked enough food for an army. Of course, as soon as Gohan and Vegeta began eating, Videl realized that an army of human had nothing on these two. She had never seen Gohan eat before, and frankly, the sheer volume he could pack in scared her.

"You get used to it," Bulma whispered, seeing Videl's slack-jawed face.

As soon as they finished, Vegeta stood up. "That was acceptable for tonight, but tomorrow when the boy returns, you will make damn sure to already have a meal ready."

This time it was Bulma's turn to be surprised. "You're coming back tomorrow?" she asked to Gohan.

"Uh... yeah... if it's okay with you... I mean."

Bulma beamed. "Of course it is! I'll even make all of your favorites!"

Gohan smiled appreciatively and moved to get up. He winced, and Videl came to his side. "Just... ah... a little... sore," he explained quickly, giving Videl a reassuring grin. He finally righted himself, and after collecting a sleeping Goten from Trunks' room, everyone said their goodbyes.

Bulma turned to her prince as soon as the door closed. "Well, Vegeta, I think it's great that you are working with Gohan. I've always thought you spent way too much time alone in that room."

"Humph," was Vegeta's reply. "He will do."


One Month Later...

Bulma blocked the door to the gravity room. Vegeta's eyebrows moved dangerously low. "Woman, l strongly suggest you moved your ass out of my way."

"Look, I know I encouraged you to work with Gohan, but he's been here everyday for the past month!"

Vegeta let out a threatening growl. "My training is none of your affair. Besides, I would think you would be happy to see me willing to associate with Kakarrot's brat."

The knock on the door broke into their conversation, but this time Bulma opened it and stared coldly at Gohan. "We're busy," she said, throwing the door shut.

"Woman!" Vegeta cried from behind her just as Gohan caught the door and reopened it.

"But Bulma... I need him!"

Bulma let out a howl. "Dammit, Gohan, it won't kill you to wait a day to beat the hell out of each other again!"

"No, Bulma... you don't understand..." Gohan began again, this time moving to Vegeta.

"Gohan, so help me Kami, if you don't get out of my house..."

"SHUT UP, WOMAN!" Vegeta roared, silencing the room instantly. "Your screeching is ruining our moment."

Before Bulma could even begin to work through the implication of that statement, Gohan rushed into Vegeta's arms, and the two locked in a passionate embrace.

Bulma stood in shocked silence until she felt a soft tug at her arm. She turned to see Videl, palm outstretched.

"Humph," Videl stated flatly. "Looks like you owe me a hundred Zeni."

***

~end~

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