Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ And We Were Angels ❯ Great Appearances ( Chapter 9 )

And We Were Angels

By: AMCM74

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Chapter 9 - Great Appearances

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"You need to get back to having some sort of a life, Bulma," Dr. Briefs stated bluntly from his place on the hospital bed. He looked at his daughter with firm resolve in his eyes.

Bulma stood staring out the window to the parking lot. Her long arms surrounded her waist as she contemplated the rolling clouds. It was going to rain again, and it seemed almost fitting for the occasion. "I will, once you're feeling better again."

"I am feeling better! The treatments are working," Dr Briefs informed her. "I admire your dedication to your dear old dad, but you have to start thinking a bit more about yourself. It's been a while since you have even mentioned Yamcha. It can't be easy on him having such a busy girlfriend."

Bulma stiffened. She had forgotten that she had yet to tell her father about the break up. He wasn't going to take it well. Dr. Briefs had always liked Yamcha. Bulma had dated the man for so long that he was more like a son to Mr. Briefs than his daughter's boyfriend. She was certain he had high hopes for their relationship. Telling him now just felt wrong. She was not about to upset her father, especially in his condition. "It's not the first time I have been busy with Capsule Corp. Yamcha understands, Poppa."

"Well of course he does. He knows what a lucky man he is to have you." Dr. Briefs' lavender hair fell over his eyes, reminding Bulma that he needed to get a haircut in the very near future. "You are a beautiful, witty woman, who happens to have an intelligent and very wealthy father." He teased her lightly. Then without a word to her he reached over and picked up the phone.

"Poppa, what are you doing?" Bulma turned and frowned at him.

"I am calling your young man and demanding that he come over and take you to dinner or a movie." His long fingers began pressing the buttons. "It's ridiculous you being cooped up in here with a sickly old man day after day."

Bulma's reaction was instant. "That's not necessary!"

"Of course it is. A young lady like you should be out having fun," Briefs replied as he paused. "What are the last four numbers?"

She took two steps toward him and snatched the phone away. "Fine. I will go out." She set the receiver back down. Bulma turned and sat on her father's bed. Reaching out, she took his hand in hers and looked deeply into his eyes. "But you have to promise me that you will get your rest and eat your dinner."

"Done," Briefs replied.

Bulma got up and put her jacket on. "Don't think I won't know if you lie to me, Poppa." She adjusted the collar before looping the purse strap over her head and across her chest. "I am going to make sure the nurse gives me a full report tomorrow morning."

"Have a good time baby." Dr. Briefs' eyes sparkled with happiness, as he watched his daughter lean down and kiss his cheek." I promise to try." Bulma left the room and soon found herself on wind swept streets.

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She had almost forgotten about the storm. It was far too early to return home, and she dreaded the thought of going back to the lab. The Marico Energy project was giving her fits. She realized that her father was right. She needed a break and a bit of relaxation.

After a short debate, Bulma decided that she would go to her favorite little coffee house, and think about what to do over a cup of rich coffee. A smile touched her lips, which in it of itself would be heaven. Lately she had been forcing herself to drink bad office coffee. It was either scolding hot or ice cold.

After hailing a cab and arriving at the little cafe, she got herself a cup of coffee. Bulma sat down and opened up a complementary newspaper that was on the table. Flipping through the entertainment section, she looked at the movie listings. It seemed like the perfect stress reducer for an over worked single woman with nothing better to do.

She was so engrossed in reading about all the new releases, that she completely missed Yamcha's approach until he was almost on top of her.

"Bulma?" He leaned over and pushed the paper down with one finger to see her face. "HEY! What are you doing here?"

She felt her heart stop before she blinked twice, unable to answer.

Yamcha tilted his head to the side. "Is this seat taken?"

"No." Bulma shook her head and tried to sound as calm as possible. She should have figured that she would run into him sooner or later. All of her hangouts were his as well. Placing an espresso cup in front of him, he pulled off his coat and sat down. "How are you doing Yamcha?"

"Good actually. I am supposed to meet Tea here in a few minutes. We are going to see a movie." He blushed shyly. "Looks like you're doing the same thing."

"Me?" Bulma realized the newspaper was still in her hands and frowned. She really didn't feel like explaining the whole pitiful truth of the matter to him. "I was looking at the listings. Do you want it?" She side stepped the question and pushed the paper at him.

Yamcha took the paper. "I can't believe some of the stuff they have out right now. It's terrible."

"I really wouldn't know. I've been very busy with work and other things." Bulma lowered her head and took a sip of her coffee.

"I am sorry to hear about your father." Yamcha said softly, setting the paper down. "I wish you would have called me. You know I care a lot about him as well."

"I found out while you were gone, and..." She looked out the window to see big raindrops splattering against the window, as the sky finally gave way. "After you told me about Tea, I really didn't want to bring you down. You seemed so happy."

"I won't lie about that. I am happy, but Bulma, you and I are close. You have to know you can still come to me."

"I think that would be rather awkward, and I really can't see your new girlfriend liking it either." Bulma looked up to see the blonde woman entering through the door. She tossed back her hood and her green eyes flashed around the room before settling on Bulma and Yamcha. "Speaking of which..."

Tea walked over and kissed Yamcha on the cheek quickly. "Sorry I am late. The wind stole my umbrella and I was half a block down the street before I gave up on it." She looked over and realized just who was sitting with him. "Oh... Bulma." She stammered. "Am I interrupting?"

Bulma shook her head. "No, Yamcha was just asking me about my father."

"Yes, he told me." Tea slid into the booth next to Yamcha. Her large, green eyes were full of sympathy. "How is he doing?"

"He is still in the hospital, but his condition is improving." Bulma lifted her cup and looked down into its empty depths. "I am out of coffee," she muttered.

"It's just as well." Yamcha held up the paper. "The only movie here worth seeing starts in about ten minutes." Looking around, Yamcha asked "So where is your date?"

"My date?" Bulma paled. She had almost forgotten about that. "I don't..."

"I'm right behind you, woman."

She spun around and came face to face with her guardian angel in his human form. "Vegeta? I didn't think you..." Bulma was speechless. "Well, are you all just going to sit there?" Vegeta took Bulma's empty cup and tossed it into the garbage. "We're going to be late."

Tea nodded quickly, jumped up and started pulling Yamcha with her. Yamcha looked from Bulma to Vegeta in stunned silence before being dragged up by his girlfriend.

"One second please." Bulma stood up shakily and turned to Vegeta. She smiled so brightly that it illuminated her entire face. "You are too much, you know that?"

"You want me to leave?" Vegeta leaned in and said so only she could hear. "I merely thought that you would rather..."

Bulma didn't let him finish. Locking her arms around him, she gave him a quick kiss. That shut him up. She dropped back down on her feet. "I am delighted you showed up. I also have a feeling that with all these witnesses you're going to up and disappear on me again."

"You were not supposed to remember that." Vegeta growled.

Yamcha coughed softly and Bulma turned to see Yamcha with his arm looped over Tea's shoulder. He looked thoroughly amused and Tea seemed substantially relaxed. "Shall we go?"

Vegeta didn't answer. He shot a menacing glare at Yamcha, as he took Bulma's hand and pulled her out of the coffee shop. Yamcha and Tea followed close behind.

Over at a corner table, Bardock calmly flipped through the pages of the newspaper, while a very distraught Goku ran his fingers through his hair.

"Why did you have to suggest that he appear to her?" Goku moaned, dropping his head to the table. "Why did he listen to you?"

Bardock never lowered the paper as he replied. "Because he was driving me nuts, with all his finger drumming and heavy sighs of exasperation. Better that he is off annoying the woman than here irritating me."

"Oh, so he should just appear to his charge and take her to the movies..." Goku peeked up from under his hands.

"Why not. This action drama one looks pretty good. It's about the last world war." Bardock took a long sip of his coffee and waited for Goku to completely lose all his composure. A sly smile danced on his lips as he carefully adverted his eyes from the younger angel. The purest and sweetest joy of existence was torturing one's children.

Goku failed to see the humor in it. He was too worried about Vegeta and what havoc he would be creating.

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Bulma stuffed Vegeta's arms full of popcorn and candy as she sipped on her large soda. He seemed to bear his burden well; aside from the juggling act he had to do with every step he took. She smiled. The scowl on his face was all the proof she needed to know that he was thoroughly annoyed with the situation. Bulma didn't know why, but ever since he appeared she felt like she was walking on air.

Tea drew Bulma's attention away from Vegeta by touching her arm. "We really should go get some good seats before the movie starts."

"That is a good idea." Bulma turned back to Vegeta. "Are you coming?"

Vegeta growled and glared at her in response. She looked to see Tea holding the door for Yamcha. Bulma moved forward to hold it open. The other couple passed through the entrance. Vegeta came to her side and stopped.

"What are we watching anyway?" he asked with slight hint of nervousness in his voice.

"A comedy." Bulma watched the relief pass over his face. "A romantic comedy." The relief vanished as he narrowed his eyes on her. "You'll either like it, or you will fall asleep," she said.

"I won't like it and I have not slept in the entire time of my existence." Vegeta was pushed forward. "I should have just let you come here by yourself woman."

"Oh please, I am sure you can find something to entertain you." She let the door close and stepped around him.

The gentle sway of her hips leading him down the aisle caused Vegeta to swallow hard. Oh yes, he could think of other forms of entertainment with her body moving like that in front of him, and every single one of them would doom him forever. "Bardock, you will pay, you evil bastard. I swear you're going to get it for baiting me into this."

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I want to thank all reviewers for the kind words and support. You have all without a doubt helped me to strive forward in this story.