Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Feeding Genius ❯ Bye-Bye Gleya ( Chapter 19 )

Feeding Genius

Chapter Nineteen

Bye-Bye Gleya

Disclaimer: DBZ's not mine.

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I made it to half past two in the morning, an accomplishment in itself, and I would have gained more sleep if an incessant beeping hadn't pierced the gloom in such a persistent manner as to allow me no chance of ignoring it. Groggily I slapped out a hand aiming to hit the alarm clock, but it flailed in nothing but thin air. Wiping the other carefully over my face, however, seemed to have the desired effect and managed to wake me up enough to remember I wasn't in my own quarters. That instantly left the question, croaked from my dry morning lips, "Where the fuck is it coming from?"

I turned blearily in the dark. "Computer," I whispered, "Soft light."

Immediately a warm, subdued glow, diffused gently around the room. It was bright enough to let me see the internal transmitter was demanding attention, but not so much as to blind newly woken eyes. Carefully I dragged myself from the bed and into a dressing gown, dumping my tired body into the swivel chair and accepting the communication.

Rian's face smiled out at me. The early hours didn't affect his species and I felt a hint of envy of him for it. He raised an eyebrow slightly, looking me over. I scowled and pulled my dressing gown closed, hiding my underwear from his eyes, my free hand tugging against knotted aquamarine hair in an effort to look presentable. "Do you have any idea what time it is?"

"It's 2:34am, it's good to see you actually got some sleep. I'm sorry I had to disturb it."

"Well," I said, stretching and cracking my limbs into order, "I'm awake now and I'm incredibly grouchy first thing, so you better tell me what this is about."

He smiled slightly, "The doctor says Vegeta's injuries are completely healed. They want to take him off the sedatives. I thought I'd let you know."

"And his brain?"

His smile faltered, "They still don't know. No one will until he wakes up, but that's what I need to talk to you about." He looked down, obviously not wanting to make eye contact with me. "I can't… that is its not safe… he can't wake up here Bulma. Even if you hadn't told me how powerful he is, I know first hand now. If he's not in a right frame of mind when he comes to, nobody on this station can stop him. I can't take that risk."

My face felt heavy, pulled to floor in the anxiety and uncertainty of the last week. The hollowness my eyes had blinked through, returned, and again I found I had to make critical decisions, coasting through the haze of autopilot. Fortunately Master Suh had prepared my mind, and deep down I knew precisely what I had to do.

"I… I'm sorry." He stammered.

"It's ok," I said, clutching a hand into my hairline. "I know what has to be done. Where's the nearest, uninhabited planet with a breathable atmosphere?"

"Mantion. It's a deserted planet. Frieza mined the core out of it. It used to be a very beautiful planet, but once the Ice-jin's armies came it was turned into little more than a lifeless quarry, patrolled by advanced robots. They've been deactivated for decades now."

"Good. Get my spaceship ready and make sure it's fully stocked. Move Vegeta onto it and I'll meet you there in fifteen minutes."

His soft features hardened as he nodded in a very authoritative manner, but his eyes belied him, overflowing with pity. It made me feel a mixture of anger and sadness. Part of me wanted to drown, to grab his sympathy in both hands and let the desperation take over, but the other, the more indomitable side which has been struck to the forefront of my nature since sharing my bed with the Saiyan Prince won over, making me feel ill and angry at his presumption that I wasn't strong enough to cope with this on my own. I am stronger than anyone on Gleya knew, and more resilient than most gave me credit for. Vegeta is not the only one who has pride. I have pride for him and my family and I was determined to show everyone as much!

Fourteen minutes and twenty seconds later and I was in hanger bay fourteen delta. My single bag was slung nonchalantly over my shoulder, carrying all the necessities I would need for the journey, capsulated and ready to go. I told Master Suh that I wouldn't let him wake up alone and I was determined to do as much. My heart and my newly found pride prevented it from being any other way.

Rian was on the other side of the room speaking to one of the stations technicians, but on seeing me he quickly finished his business and walked over to me. "Bulma!" he greeted with uncertainty, "Everything is ready to go, did you want to look over the diagnostics one last time before we send Vegeta away?"

I nodded mutely. Walking after him he lead me to the bank of computers to the right. I watched; letting him type in the security codes on the vast consol, before taking over and searching through all the relevant data myself.

"Happy?"

Grudgingly I nodded stepping away. "They did a good job, you're obviously paying them well, but if you don't mind I'd like to take it off autopilot for the launch. It's too risky with the amount of traffic. I also want to work it so that all incoming calls to the station for me are sent to this ship. Can you do that?"

His face was a mixture of apprehension and incredulity, "You mean… you're going with him?"

"Of course I am!"

"But Bulma!"

"But nothing Rian," I said, calming down, my voice softening. "I have to be there when he wakes up."

"B…"

"No," I interrupted, "Don't say anything. You won't change my mind. It's made up and you know what a stubborn cow I can be when I want to be. I'll be fine. Vegeta is my husband."

He continued to shake his head, but I could see that it had changed from reluctance to quiet acceptance, "Be careful. If he shows any signs of losing control then take the ship and run."

"I will." I smiled briefly, "Thank you."

"For."

"For understanding and being a friend to me for the last two months. It means a lot." I leant forward and hugged him gently.

"Dammit!" He choked, "Why do you have to be married?"

"You'll survive," I said, patting him gently on the shoulder, "Trian's a nice girl, you should ask her to marry you."

"I'd sooner take on Vegeta!" he laughed as I walked up the ramp.

"I'll tell him as much when he wakes up!" I replied, losing sight of him as the airlocks hissed closed behind me.

Dumping my bags on the floor I automatically walked down the staircase in the middle and to the circular bedroom below. I could see Vegeta, laid carefully on the bed, looking very unlike his usual self A couple of tubes were still in his arms, pumping him with enough sedatives to keep him out during the flight. I watched the rise and fall of his chest for a moment, breathing in the air that was sweet with his beautiful, musky scent.

Somehow I managed to resist diving into the covers next to him and holding him close as I have craved to do for the last week, instead I simply whispered a, "Sleep well my Ouji" into the darkness and walked back up to the bridge.

It felt like I couldn't escape the commanders prying eyes. His face filled the view screen as I sat down.

"Ready?" He asked.

"As I'll ever be."

"Ok then, initialize the launch."

I went to turn on the switches, but my hand stopped a moment. "Shit!" I swore. A sudden recollection holding me still, "Rian I was supposed to meet Master Suh this morning, can you…?"

"I'll let her know."

"No… promise me you'll ask her about Faylorn. I want to know everything she does about him, do you understand that… everything. Write it down, record it I don't care I just have to know."

"You have my word." He promised, and instantly I relaxed.

The finger that had hesitated at the launch switch quickly became animated again, flipping it on. The whole machine instantly came alive, the boosters roaring into life and shaking the whole ship.

"Good luck!" Rian shouted through the monitor.

"I won't need it!" I screamed back, "Bye-bye!"

Then he was gone. The view screen faded into a view of the hanger, the guy ropes gave way and at once I was hurtled into space, alone in the big black with nothing more than the meekest provisions and my unconscious husband. It was a little daunting, that was for sure, but then after being married to Vegeta for five years, that emotion doesn't affect me anymore.

Three hours later… and… having caught a couple of extra hours sleep curled up to my silent husband, wetting his strong chest with insubordinate tears, I am now sitting in the comfy pilots chair, sipping on a hot cup of coffee, whilst blankly looking out at the eerie trail of stars being left in our wake. With the enhancements I've made in the past three months to the spaceship design it will mean we'll be landing on Mantion in roughly twelve hours. Nothing more than a short hop in universal standings.

The journey isn't, however, going easy on my nerves. My father had promised to call five hours after our conversation the previous night and tell me his progress and Rian had promised to forward all messages, but it has now been over six hours since my last communication with earth.

"Dammit Dad!" I swear, "Don't leave me hanging like this!"

I wait a little longer, switching my eyes between the clock and the communications array, each minute of silence feeling like a decade. Eventually the light beeps on and the alarm rings out. Instantly I slam my hand onto it.

"Daddy!"

The view screen clears, "Bulma honey!"

I blink a couple of times, "Mom?"

"Oh Bulma! Look at you… you're a mess. How are you feeling?"

"Not great," I reply honestly, "Where's dad, has he…?"

"Oh he's here honey and he has some good news, he told me not to call you yet, but of course I talked him around, such a silly old man he's becoming."

"Good news?" I repeat, pouncing on the limited information, "He's found Trunks?"

"Well of course honey… that naughty little boy always gets himself into trouble, but he can never escape me or his gramps for long. He should know that by now. Now how about dearest Vegeta, how's he doing?"

"It's still touch and go, he should be waking up soon and then we'll know for definite, but mom, I need to know more about Trunks. You say dad knows where he is?"

"Well… more or less… now I can't think of what is was that he told me to say… you know I had it all in my head when I started but now it's all gone. Funny that!" She titters into the screen.

I've long since lost my patience, I can't think through my mom's fluffy and misplaced perkiness. "Mom!" I shout rudely, "Get dad on the phone right now. I have to speak to him!"

"Calm down Bulma, it's ok I'm here."

The voice is off camera, but I breathe a sigh of relief. "Daddy, tell me what's going on?"

"Why don't you go and make me a cup of coffee dear." He says, gently taking mom by the hand, his patience for her as flawless as ever. "I'll speak to Bulma, and let her know the good news."

"Oh ok… milky or black?"

"Black dear."

"Bye Bulma, you take care of that strapping man of yours. Love you honey!"

"Love you too mom," I just about reply. To be honest my attention is completely fixed on my dad. I have to know what the 'good news' is. I've had so little recently and I can feel my heart pounding hard, trying to escape from my ribcage. "What good news?" I shout, as soon as mom is out of the room.

"I've found him. Well not 'precisely' but I know roughly where he is, and believe me Bulma you are never going to believe it."

"Dad!" I scream. "This isn't something to toy me with. Now tell me… where the fuck is my son!"

His eyes sparkle slightly, "He's here Bulma. He's right here… on earth."

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A/N - I think this must be some kind of record. I literally sat down and wrote and wrote and… wrote. It took me less than three hours to write this chapter. Perhaps it was made easy because I knew exactly what I wanted. Any way… see you soon for the next. *hugs* Ember