Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Danger in the horizon ❯ Your place or mine? ( Chapter 18 )

Chapter 18 - Your place or mine?

Note: I don't own DBZ or any DBZ characters

Special thanks to Susan, dbzfan_d, EmberMaxximus, Papa Bear, re-o-ko, pub6, mic, numina and Jadedbest for taking the time to review! Every comment is appreciated!

Radditz paced frantically in the med wing waiting for a med tech to patch him up. The pain from the injuries inflicted by Vegeta had lessened somewhat, but the pain in his heart had not. As if speaking a mantra, he repeated over and over to himself the words, "What have I done?"

Nappa observed Radditz's behaviour with an expressionless face. The only reason he was with Radditz in the med wing was because he had nowhere else to go at the present time and he had to give Vegeta time to complete his task. He did not feel any pity for the younger man. As far as Nappa was concerned, Radditz was acting like an infatuated youth, not a loyal soldier, as he should be. Also, Nappa was of the opinion that both the woman and Radditz should have been disposed of together.

"Soft fucking fool." He snorted, breaking into Radditz's self pity. "Prince Vegeta will have dealt with the stupid bitch by now. No point in dwelling on it."

Radditz fixed a look of pure venom at his comrade. "Shut the fuck up Nappa. I didn't ask for your company, so leave before I make you!"

Nappa chuckled harshly at Radditz. "Think you can take me on, third class weakling? Ha! Don't forget, I am an elite warrior with years more experience than you will ever have." He turned to leave the med wing, his point made. "I'm going back down to talk with the Prince now. We still have a mission to complete."

Radditz glared at the bald man's back as he entered the elevator. "Bastard….." he hissed. "When this is all over, and Freeza defeated, I will have your bald fucking head on a spike."

"Um, excuse me sir?" A very nervous looking medical technician stood in front of him, unsure of whether Radditz was going to lash out violently at him. "Sir?" He questioned again. "We are ready for you now. Please come through."

"Fine." grunted Radditz. His mind was still on Bulma though and it took him several seconds before, with a heavy heart, he followed the med tech. Bulma, I'm sorry.

Nappa made his way down to the refugee quarters, thinking about his past. He understood Radditz's affection for Bulma, although he would never tell him that. Once he had a mate of his own, who had been killed when Freeza destroyed Planet Vegeta. As he had been assigned to the care and protection of Prince Vegeta he had escaped the same fate, but at the time he wished that he had not been so lucky. When the tragedy had occurred he wanted to die himself, throwing himself into the most dangerous purging missions in an attempt to join his mate in death. It did not work. Over time, he realised the futility of it all and merely hardened his heart. He would never take another mate, ever. His loyalty was now to his Prince until his death.

Nappa exited the elevator and paused before entering Prince Vegeta's quarters. He could hear no sound, so assumed Vegeta must have taken care of the woman and was finetuning his plans. As the door opened in front of him, he got quite a shock. The woman was still alive?

"Wha?" Nappa gaped at the sight of Bulma, still very much alive and breathing, sitting somewhat tensely on Vegeta's bed.

"Close your mouth Nappa. I have no desire to see what the contents of your last meal were." Snapped Vegeta, fixing his black eyes on the lost for words Saiyan. "There has been a small change in my plans. The woman, has proven herself to be more useful alive than dead. Quite an interesting chat we have been having." He glanced at Bulma who shot back a hate-filled glare.

Nappa recovered his senses, kneeling on the floor in front of Vegeta. "What do you want me to do, Highness?"

Vegeta continued to look at Bulma, who was tensely awaiting his reply. He stroked his chin, rubbing it back and forth as he thought. "Firstly, we will not be taking the pods as planned. I have another ship for that purpose. Secondly, Ms Briefs will be staying in my quarters until our departure. She will be with me at all times. During the times I am using the training facility you Nappa will be responsible for her welfare." He stopped upon seeing Nappa's outraged look. "No arguments, Nappa unless you want to visit the next dimension on a one way ticket!"

Nappa bowed his head in obedience. "Yes Highness, I will do as you ask."

Inside he seethed. How could he let her live? She is dangerous.

"Good. I will inform you when your services are required. Go and train."

Nappa lifted his head, staring directly at Bulma with a barely disguised look of hatred. She was barely able to repress a shudder.

"A question Highness, if I may?"

"What is it, Nappa?" Vegeta replied impatiently.

"Radditz, Highness. Is he not to be part of this guard duty?"

"No." Vegeta replied harshly. "They are not be left alone together at any time. Any other questions, Nappa?"

"No Highness. I await you further instructions." With that, he bowed once more and left the room, going to the training facility.

Bulma spoke aloud softly after Nappa left the room. "He hates me. He wants me dead."

"Yes, he does," Vegeta replied matter of factly. "Nappa thinks that you are dangerous. At this stage, I would be inclined to agree. After all, you have reduced one of my soldiers to the state of an infatuated fool." He grinned. "Not likely that you will be able to do that to Nappa, though. He has no interest in women at all."

"Thank you for reassurance, your highness," she replied sarcastically. "I suppose that I should go and get some of my belongings transferred down here then. I have no intention of being without what I need."

"No woman. You and I will collect them. Together. Did you forget what I said earlier?" He raised an eyebrow questioningly, gauging her reaction.

Bulma's eyes narrowed with displeasure. "Fine! We'll go together. I have to reroute my calls to a portable device so that it won't arouse any suspicion. Luckily, my team leader has allowed me to continue working on whatever you require so I don't have to report to her. Oh and in case you had forgotten, my name is Bulma!" she shrieked.

Vegeta chuckled without any warmth. "Well, woman if you are finished with your little tirade, shall we leave?"

"Bastard…." She spat back.

Vegeta grabbed her arms, drawing his face close to hers, sensing her discomfort as he replied. "Yes, I am. And one day, you'll get to see how much of a bastard I can be. Lets go. Now!" Once again Vegeta had to bodily force her to move. He pulled at her arms, half dragging her from his room to the elevator.

The journey up to Bulma's quarters was thankfully short and silent, the atmosphere thick with tension. Bulma stole quick glances at Vegeta as they travelled upwards, trying to figure out what kind of person he really was. He was like the four seasons, one moment cold like a blizzard in winter, the next calm like a spring day. Regardless of his temperament, however, she could not deny that he was physically very attractive.

The elevator stopped, jolting Bulma from her train of thought. "We are here." She stated simply.

Vegeta looked down at her and grasped her waist firmly, leading her out of the elevator down the hall. "What number?" he asked.

"Thirty seven." Bulma replied. She felt a great deal of apprehension at letting Vegeta enter her quarters. To date only 2 people had been in there, including herself. Lisa was the only person on the station she liked and trusted enough to have any kind of friendship with.

"Well? Open the door." Vegeta snapped.

"Okay, keep your wig on." Bulma giggled as she opened the door, despite the tension. The hair Vegeta had was definitely real. No one in his or her right mind would buy a wig like that. "Well, this is my humble abode." She said, expansively throwing her arms out. "Not exactly a palace, but it does the job."

The room was bigger than Vegeta expected. Large enough for a king sized bed, extra furniture and an ensuite bathroom. He let go of her waist and walked around the room towards the window, which gave a view of the darkness of space outside. He raised an eyebrow at messy state of her desk, strewn with small pieces of electronic equipment and her personal log. While Vegeta explored her room Bulma grabbed a bag and started stuffing clothing and toiletries into it. "Oh, can't forget the portable comms unit." She mumbled to herself.

"Woman."

"What is it? Can't you see I'm busy here?" Bulma tersely replied.

"I have a better idea."

She continued stuffing clothing into her bag as she asked, "Well, what is it? This better idea of yours?"

Vegeta turned slowly and walked towards Bulma. When he reached her he removed the bag from her grasp. "I don't think that staying in my quarters is such a good idea…" He couldn't finish because Bulma interrupted him.

"Finally!" She grinned. "The voice of reason speaks! I'll just unpack this stuff and you can leave. Call me when you want work to start!"

Vegeta chuckled. "Now if I could finish my sentence, woman, I had a little more to say."

"Well what is it, Vegeta?" Bulma snapped back. Then realisation dawned on her as she saw the devilish grin on Vegeta's face. "Oh no. You are not suggesting that.."

"Oh yes. I propose we stay here, in your quarters. So much more comfortable don't you think, Bulma?"