Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ And We Were Angels ❯ Being There ( Chapter 10 )

And We Were Angels

By: AMCM74

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Chapter 10 - Being There

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Bulma waved to Yamcha and Tea as the cab pulled away. She would have gone with them, but the rain had stopped. Besides, the longer it took her to get home, the more time she had to keep Vegeta by her side. She turned to see him standing a few feet away. The evening breeze was kicking up the long flowing folds of his coat.

"So how was the movie?" She walked over and locked her arm around his.

"I could have waited for it to come out on DVD." Vegeta snorted.

Bulma shot him an unbelieving look "You have DVD in heaven?" He looked away from her, but she could hear the deep chuckle. "I figured you didn't." Then under her breath she muttered "Smart ass."

Vegeta could not hold back his laughter. It was hard not to. The woman on his arm was shockingly at ease with him as they made their way down the busy street. Vegeta had walked amongst mortals through many eras, but somehow this was different. It was like he belonged, and that was a feeling he didn't like. No matter what the circumstances were, he could never belong. The woman was his charge, he was an angel, and that was something he had to struggle with to keep first and foremost in his mind.

"Flower for the lady, sir?" Vegeta came to a halt as a flower peddler held up a large red rose before him.

Vegeta studied the red petals being waved under his nose before locking his dark eyes on the man. "I don't think so."

"Are you sure? I am about to close and I can give you a very special deal?"

"No really," Bulma stepped around Vegeta to look over the flowers. "But I will take a dozen of the snowstar lilies." Pulling out her purse she smiled to Vegeta. "They are my father's favorite."

The florist was delighted and began to prepare the bouquet.

"How is your father doing?" Vegeta watched Bulma's expression falter a bit.

"I would think you would be the one to know better than I." She stiffened a bit. "After all, I am sure you're on the inside track on that sort of information."

Vegeta reached out and let his finger trail over the side of her face until it came to rest under her chin. He tilted her head up so that their eyes met. "It would help you to know that I have made an inquiry about him already, although my source is intolerably pathetic and as of yet, has refused to give me all the details."

"You asked about my father?" Bulma felt the tears welling up in her eyes at this knowledge. "For me?"

"Of course I did woman. Your father's welfare is a great part of my concern. I admit that I too desire his quick return to good health."

Bulma searched his eyes and found only truth there. It was awe inspiring to think that this divine creature was so thoroughly watching out for her, even to the extent of following up on her father's condition. She wrapped her arms around him and clung as tightly as she could. "Thank you."

Thank you. These simple words rocked him. Vegeta felt his chest constricting around his heart. A deep desire to push her away and pull her closer warred within him. The florist, who waved the lily bouquet at them, saved him. "Your flowers are ready Miss."

Bulma moved reluctantly away from Vegeta and turned to pay for the flowers. She felt a little embarrassed tossing herself at Vegeta like that. She had done so before, but there was the alcohol to use as an excuse for that. Starting down the street she tried to cover her discomfort by asking, "To whom did you ask about my father?"

Vegeta looked at her with intense dark eyes. "You don't want to know."

"I asked didn't I?" She tugged on his arm. "Of course I want to know."

Looking ahead Vegeta answered as bluntly as was his fashion. "The Angel of Death." At Bulma's loud gasp Vegeta added, "Fear not, I don't think your father is going anywhere. At least not if I have anything to say about it."

"You can," Bulma trembled as she asked, "do something about that?"

"Of course I can. Your interests are my only concern." Vegeta smiled evilly, "And if kicking that egotistical bastard's ass from one side of heaven to the other suits you, I will consider it an added bonus."

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"Are you sure we should be here?" Tea whispered as she looked around the hall. "It's way after visiting hours."

"I can't help it. I want to check and make sure Dr. Briefs is all right. The man is like a father to me." Yamcha reached out, took the clipboard from the nurses' station and flipped through it. "Ah ha! I found it. He is in room 118." Yamcha looked around the hall. "It's this way."

Tea hesitated as she was being pulled behind him. "I really think we should just wait until tomorrow and come during visiting hours."

"Nah, I work," replied the dark haired man as he hurried down the hall. "Besides, I know Dr. Briefs. He won't be asleep." Finding the room he pushed the door open. "Hello?"

"Yamcha? Is that you?" Dr. Briefs voice came from behind the thin curtain.

Tea rolled her eyes at Yamcha's victorious smile.

"Yes, I snuck in to see how you're doing." Yamcha stepped around the curtain and grabbed the old man's hand in a firm shake.

"As well as anyone with lung cancer can feel before their surgery." Dr. Briefs shrugged and looked at Tea. "Who is the girl?"

Tea's face fell as Yamcha stammered. "Cancer?"

"Doesn't Bulma tell you anything boy?" Dr Briefs struggled to sit up. Yamcha leaned over and took hold of the frail form. Then he arranged the pillow behind Briefs to make him more comfortable. "Thank you, Yamcha."

"No, Bulma didn't say a thing to me about it. Krillin found out you were in the hospital and told me. When I asked Bulma she said you were recovering. She never said from what."

"That daughter of mine." Dr Briefs groaned. "We really have to do something about her, now don't we boy?" Looking at the petite blonde wringing her hands behind Yamcha, the confused expression returned and he asked again. "You never did tell me. Who is your new friend?"

"This is my new girlfriend, Tea." Yamcha answered.

"New?" Dr Briefs' eyes widened with surprise. "But... but... what about Bulma?"

Yamcha choked, "Didn't she tell you?" After a short silence Yamcha sighed and dropped his head. "Of course she didn't. She probably didn't want to upset you. Damn it I am such an idiot."

"If you let my daughter get away then I am going to have to agree with you there." Dr Briefs snorted. Looking at Tea he added, "No offense meant there dear."

"None taken." Tea replied quickly.

"Well, don't just sit there looking like a whipped mule, Yamcha." Dr Briefs demanded, "Tell me what you did."

"I proposed." Yamcha squeaked.

"And?"

Yamcha looked up with wide eyes at the man he would have had as a father. "She got mad at me and turned me down flat."

Dr. Briefs leaned back with a defeated look. "I don't know what I am going to do with her. Who does she get it from? Her mother wasn't nearly so temperamental. I certainly don't think I am like that."

"I am sorry." Yamcha shrugged. "I shouldn't have said anything."

"No, no it's not your fault, boy. It would take a saint of an angel to put up with her any longer than you did."

"Well, that rules out the new guy" Tea muttered.

"What new guy?!" Lavender hair fell over Dr. Briefs' face as he quickly turned around.

"Damn it, Tea!" Yamcha whined.

"Sorry."

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Bulma stood at her front door and froze. "I don't know what to say." She turned to Vegeta. "In fact, I don't know what to do. I have never asked a man into the house after a first date, but then again I don't think there is anything I could do to stop you."

"First of all I am not a man," Vegeta reminded her softly. Then on a more teasing note he leaned in and whispered in her ear. "Besides, there isn't anything you could show me that I haven't already seen."

Bulma's eyes grew wide and she reacted without thinking. A rounding sweep of her arm brought her hand into painfully making contact with his cheek. Vegeta stumbled back, tumbling down the few steps that lead up to the door. Bulma placed both hands over her mouth as she stared at the angel groaning in pain on the concrete. "Oh... I... You're a pervert!" She tried to remain serious, but then laughter reigned as she watched him try to get to his feet. "But I am sorry. I didn't think I could hit you that hard."

"Ouch." Vegeta grumbled as he pulled himself up. "Right now I am in my mortal form woman. Could you try not to kill me?"

"I thought you were immortal."

Vegeta glared up at her. "Yeah, well so did I, but that does not mean you have to keep trying to find out for yourself."

Bulma turned and pushed her key into the lock. "Come on, let's get something to drink."