Chapter 12

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Yamcha set the injured warrior down on the bed. Although he was also concerned about Vegeta, Bulma's reaction to the accident made him wonder. He would speak to her parents about it later.

Dr. Briefs administered first-aid to the Saiyan as best he knew. The scientist marvelled at the resilience of the alien and tried to ease his daughter's worries. She, however, still decided to keep a bedside vigil by her Vegeta.

He woke to find the Woman asleep at the desk. Why was she not in bed with him? He twisted to get a better look and felt a tug at his face. Lifting off the oxygen mask, Vegeta reached toward her. He pulled an object from the desk. The Woman had been reading another one of her silly vampire novels.

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Two sets of eyes peered through the gravity simulator's window. They were impressed with the alien prince's skill and determination. "Well, I guess it's back to training, huh, Puar?"

The floating feline giggled an assent.

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Days he had been in the gravity simulator. Days she had been sleeping alone. Waiting until past midnight, she entered the gravity pod and nearly tripped over her sleeping Saiyan. Pulling out a capsule, Bulma depressed the button and tossed it into the middle of the room.

The noise woke him. Peering through half-lidded eyes, he saw his former bedmate settling into a comfortable bed. Vegeta groggily staggered over toward her. Without a word, he kicked off his shoes and climbed in when she raised the covers in invitation.

"You won't tell me to leave or sleep on the floor?"

"I do have some class, Woman," he replied drowsily and immediately drifted off to sleep.

Bulma snuggled up to her little prince, thankful that she had installed a shower in the gravity simulator and very thankful that the Saiyan used it. She could not be certain, but it definitely did seem that her husband almost liked her.



"PACHOO! Pbbftt!"

"Vegeta, that's disgusting! You nearly blew out my eardrums. And you got mucus all over my hair!"

The Saiyan prince remained unapologetic. "Your hair would be clean if you could tame that mop. I do not relish waking up to that jungle of curls in my face."

"Well, if my hair bothers you so much, then do something about it."

The smell of burnt hair filled the room. Vegeta dropped the tendrils onto the floor.

Silence...for half a second.

"AAAAAGGGHHHH!!!! What have you done?! You sliced off my hair!" Bulma ran to the dark vid-com monitor to look at her reflection. She paused and tilted her head. "Actually, it doesn't look that bad. Maybe some trimming of the rough ends and I get a new do. Thanks, Vegeta." A chipper Bulma left to prepare breakfast.

Vegeta stared after her in amazement. He almost pitied the poor soul destined to be claimed by the Woman. Almost.

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The genius ran around frantic. She spied her Saiyan walking into the kitchen. "Vegeta --"

"No."

"I haven't said anything, yet."

"The answer will always be 'no'."

"Vegeta," she began slowly, "I may not have enough food for the bar-b-que. I need you to go to the butcher's and get more meat."

"And what binds your and the old people's hands?"

"Dad is still at a budget meeting, Mom might come home with pastries, and I have to stay here to help Chi-Chi when she arrives."

Vegeta's left eyebrow twitched. He did like meat.

Bulma saw his hesitation. "Just consider the butcher as your lowly servant. He's done all the dirty work for you. Now you, your royal highness, just need to pick and choose your favorite cut of meat."

Vegeta considered her words. "I will go to this butcher's."

"Okay, his place is near the park. You'll like it. He has so many different varieties to choose from. And his meat is so fresh that they're practically kicking. Now, I think that we'll need a hundred more kilos. Don't worry about paying him. I'll call and tell him to expect you."

Vegeta nodded and flew off.

Half an hour later, the Sons arrived. Chi-Chi came early to help Bulma prepare the food. She complimented Bulma's new hair-do.

Bulma patted her hair proudly. "Complements of Vegeta," she offered.

Chi-Chi gave her a quizzical look, but asked no further. The psychotic little man had some strange talents.

"Hey, where's Vegeta?" Goku asked.

"He went to get some more food. I forgot and underestimated how much you fighters eat."

Goku became dreamy and rubbed his tummy. He was always happy to hear that more food was coming. A familiar ki neared Capsule Corp. "Vegeta's back. I wonder what he brought?"

He rushed out to the yard. "Wow! Vegeta, you have great taste!"

Hearing Goku's excitement, the three ran out to see what Vegeta brought. Bulma's jaw hit the ground. Chi-Chi and Gohan remained unfazed.

"Vegeta, when I said fresh, I didn't mean still breathing!"

"I went to the butcher's as you asked, Woman. A hundred kilos would not have been enough for myself, Kakarrot, and his whelp. So I took the liberty of making it a few tons." He cocked his head toward two moose and an ostrich.

Chi-Chi giggled. She was used to Goku and Gohan bringing home strange animals for dinner, but for Vegeta to do so was beyond funny.

Bulma slapped her forehead and raked her fingers down her face. "Vegeta, describe this butcher shop."

"It was as you said, Woman: A place that houses all the different varieties of meat."

"Vegeta," her voice tight and slow, "Did you go to the West Capital City Animal Sanctuary?"

"Yes."

Of course Vegeta would visit the zoo. It was a mere two blocks from the butcher shop. She should have known.

"I did not like the selection at your butcher's," continued the prince. "The creatures at the sanctuary are better fed and larger. I ordered those pathetic servants to kill and gut the beasts, but the fools all fainted. You will have to do the tasks yourself."

Like HFIL she would. Bulma clenched her fists and counted to slowly to herself. Blood would surely be seeping from her palms if she had long nails. She had a party to organize and losing her temper would not help. Furthermore, seeing Chi-Chi sniggering at her husband made her blood simmer.

"Vegeta," she fought for control, "return these animals to the sanctuary. They are just too kicking fresh and preparation would take too long. Goku can help you."

The now irate hostess whipped her head around the yard. "Goku! Goku get off that ostrich right now! You, too, Gohan!"

Father and son steered the giant fowl to a stop in front of the women. They laughed gaily, having had a grand time riding the bird. "Did you want something, Bulma?"

"Will you help Vegeta return these animals to the zoo? We'll stay here to get things ready."

"Aww, nooo. We won't be eating them? Just look at the size of this guy's drumstick! What a bummer."

The sensitive Gohan was secretly glad. He could not understand how his father could play with an animal one moment and then devour it the next.

With the full-blooded Saiyans gone, Bulma and the remaining Sons decided to order pizzas and make a quick dash to the butcher's themselves. Chi-Chi, being a culinary master, assured her friend that she could whip up something quickly to satisfy all of the warriors' appetites. Goku's wife had a passion for cooking and often loved to show off her talent.

The entire gang showed. They ate; they joked; they sparred; they noticed Yamcha's marked improvement. Yamcha smiled meekly and quietly accepted the compliments. Vegeta remained expressionless.

"That was great, Bulma. We should do this again."

"Sure. And maybe have a costume party."

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